psychiatry

Recent article: Conversion disorder and the trouble with trauma

Kanaan and Craig recently published an article “Conversion disorders and the trouble with trauma” (see reference at the bottom of this page) in which they present the reader with a cogent overview of the current debate of whether conversion disorder should be conceptualized as “psychogenic” or instead “as a yet unexplained neurological disorder.” They argue, …

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New article: Long-term outcome in a sample of underprivileged patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) living in Argentina

This month, researchers from Argentina (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, de la Universidad de Buenos Aires y del ENyS) together with Dr. Lorna Myers (Director, Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures Program at the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group) published an article in the Epilepsy and Behavior Journal: “Long-term outcome in a sample of underprivileged patients with psychogenic nonepileptic …

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The good news is that you don’t have epilepsy, instead you have something called PNES

This blog’s title depicts a common way in which many doctors explain the diagnosis of Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) to patients who are newly diagnosed with this disorder. I suspect this presentation is meant to suggest to the patient that having PNES is less terrible, dangerous, maybe potentially intractable, etc. than having epilepsy. However, in …

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A fantastic new book on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures “In our words” and why some health professionals should read it

This blog post has two parts to it. The first part will talk about a wonderful new book called “In Our Words” edited by Markus Reuber, Gregg Rawlings and Steven C. Schachter and which features testimonials of those living with PNES from around the world.  It can be pre-ordered on Amazon with official release date …

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Why is scientific research in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) so important and if you see that a study has opened up, why you should seriously consider applying to see if you qualify

You may not believe this if you are currently living with PNES and encountering a lot of the day to day challenges that come with it, but the panorama for PNES is actually improving (I know it can feel for some like too slow or not at all where you live, but remember, there is …

Why is scientific research in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) so important and if you see that a study has opened up, why you should seriously consider applying to see if you qualify Read More »

Recommendations for books having to do with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures as holiday gifts 2016

My position has always been that the gift of knowledge is maybe one of the most wonderful gifts we can give to others.  That’s why I so value the work teachers do.  I am still in awe of how children enter school as illiterates and in just a few years are taught how to make …

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Book recommendation: Guises of Desire is the beautifully told story of one of the best known patients with a psychogenic and dissociative disorder

The time and place: Vienna, Austria in the 1800’s.  The main character of the story is real: Bertha Pappenheim (AKA Anna O). In Guises of Desire, the author, Hilda Reilly, recounts Bertha’s intense years living with these psychogenic symptoms using a wonderful combination of solid research and imagination.  Ms. Reilly descriptions of Bertha’s variety of …

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Why do Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) become chronic for so many?

For the past year or so I have had a survey up on www.nonepilepticseizures.com homepage.  It asks: How long have you been suffering non-epileptic episodes? 109 responses were received.  Note that this is not a scientific survey that is based on those who wished to respond. Over 40% reported that PNES has been part of …

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Treating Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: Only half of US psychiatrists accept payment through health insurance

An article came out earlier this week in USA Today that underscored a very serious problem that persons with psychogenic non epileptic seizures (and other mental health conditions) face.  Only half of psychiatrists accept insurance which means that if you need treatment you need to be prepared to pay large out-of-pocket fees. This is not …

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