Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures Questions & Answers

Updated: Jul 26, 2018
  • Author: Selim R Benbadis, MD; Chief Editor: Helmi L Lutsep, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What are psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What are other terms used to describe psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

How common are psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

How are psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)?

What are the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

How are factitious disorder and malingering differentiated from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

In what context should psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) be understood?

What is the pathophysiology of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What are possible non-genetic familial factors in the etiology of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the prevalence of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the prognosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the most important prognostic factor in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the role of patient education in the management of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

Presentation

What should be the focus of history in the evaluation of suspected psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What signs and symptoms of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

Which conditions are associated with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What should be the focus of psychosocial history in the evaluation of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

Which physical and neurologic findings suggest psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

DDX

What is the role of EEG video monitoring in the diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures?

Workup

Which tests should be performed in the evaluation of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the role of ambulatory EEG in the diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the role of EEG video monitoring in the diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the efficacy of short-term outpatient EEG video monitoring in the diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the role of induction in the diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

Treatment

What are the treatment options for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the main obstacle in the treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

What is the role of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in the treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

Which specialist consultations are needed for the treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?