You may have been unaware until you developed PNES that there are a few medical conditions that can result in the suspension of someone’s driver’s license. These include epilepsy (seizures) and even though PNES is not epilepsy, some people who have PNES may lose consciousness or may lose control of parts of their body or […]
What about driving when you have psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES)? Read More »
Psychoeducation: refers to some form of intervention (lecture, support group meeting or published materials) that aims to educate the audience members/readers about a specific health condition, provides coping suggestions and informs about treatment options. Usually, psychoeducation is provided by health professionals but not necessarily; patients who have educated themselves about their health issues can prove
Let’s first answer: What is alexithymia? Basically, it means, not having words for emotions (a=not having, lexi=word, thymia=emotion) or in other words, having a hard time identifying and describing feelings. In psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), it is quite common to have some degree of alexithymia. By the way, alexithymia can also occur in individuals who
You have been told you have alexithymia: Now, what? (Post for patients) Read More »
If you have been diagnosed with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and are feeling alone on this journey, I advise you to pick up a copy of “On the floor again” by young author, Mia Montgomery. This is a highly entertaining book in which you will find yourself turning page after page, wanting to know what
This month, several colleagues at the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group published a new article: “Psychological trauma, somatization, dissociation, and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures compared with those in patients with intractable partial epilepsy.” The initial aim of the project was to better understand psychological trauma in PNES and in persons with epilepsy (PWEs) and
This past Saturday, we held a historic annual conference on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES)! Historic, for many reasons, one of which is because it was the FIFTH year running that we have hosted this meeting. And as we have now become accustomed, it was successful on many, many levels and left us all feeling energized.
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: Fifth Annual conference held in New Jersey in 2018 Read More »
Five years ago, at the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, we took a leap into the unknown and organized our first ever PNES conference for patient and caregivers. Just days before the conference was to take place, we were understandably nervous. We wondered if anyone would even show up, if there was any interest in the
The date has now been announced: October 20th, 2018 from 8:30AM-4PM The place has also been announced: Malcolm Forbes Auditorium Morristown Medical Center 100 Madison Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960 Now, all we need is to hear from you about what you think would be the best topics to present that day for an audience that
Upcoming annual conference on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures 2018-we need your input Read More »
A year ago, riding in a bike marathon seemed like an impossible challenge since I had only ever ridden my bicycle recreationally, had never done anything marathon-like ever before and had not even been an especially athletic child or youth growing up. Now, less than a year later, bike riding through the Northeast of the
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
