TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
AU - Widdess-Walsh, Peter
AU - Mostacci, Barbara
AU - Tinuper, Paolo
AU - Devinsky, Orrin
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a common presentation to the emergency room and neurology department. They are often misdiagnosed and treated as epileptic seizures. Inappropriate treatment leads to poor patient outcomes and iatrogenic complications, as the underlying mechanisms and treatments are distinctly different. Most causes involve a conversion or dissociative reaction to a prior traumatic experience or abuse. Recognition of the characteristic clinical features of PNES and utilization of video-electroencephalography to confirm the diagnosis is critical. Discontinuation of treatment for epilepsy (unless comorbid PNES and epilepsy is present), acceptance of the diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary treatment plan with clinical psychologists, neurologist, and psychiatrist improve patient and healthcare outcomes.
AB - Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a common presentation to the emergency room and neurology department. They are often misdiagnosed and treated as epileptic seizures. Inappropriate treatment leads to poor patient outcomes and iatrogenic complications, as the underlying mechanisms and treatments are distinctly different. Most causes involve a conversion or dissociative reaction to a prior traumatic experience or abuse. Recognition of the characteristic clinical features of PNES and utilization of video-electroencephalography to confirm the diagnosis is critical. Discontinuation of treatment for epilepsy (unless comorbid PNES and epilepsy is present), acceptance of the diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary treatment plan with clinical psychologists, neurologist, and psychiatrist improve patient and healthcare outcomes.
KW - Conversion disorder
KW - Nonepileptic seizures
KW - PNES
KW - Psychogenic
KW - Semiology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84865600468&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84865600468&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-444-52898-8.00017-3
DO - 10.1016/B978-0-444-52898-8.00017-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 22938977
AN - SCOPUS:84865600468
VL - 107
SP - 277
EP - 295
JO - Handbook of Clinical Neurology
JF - Handbook of Clinical Neurology
SN - 0072-9752
ER -