Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures

What are PNES?

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures are attacks that closely resemble epilepsy-related seizures (most commonly grand-mal seizures), but abnormal electric activity in the brain doesn’t cause them, and they don’t cause brain damage. They come, instead, from psychological distress.

Symptoms

The main symptom of PNES is seizure-like attacks. The only true way to know if someone has PNES rather than epilepsy is through testing, but the following symptoms may point toward a potential likelihood of PNES:

• Convulsive seizures that last longer than 10 minutes
• Convulsive seizures, where you still retain awareness
• Rapid side-to-side head movements
• Out-of-phase limb movements
• Eyes-closed unresponsiveness
• Pelvic thrusting
• Changing patterns of movement

Who Does it Affect?

PNES are more common in women than men and often begin in early adulthood.

Risk factors in developing PNES include:

• History of sexual abuse
• History of physical abuse or neglect
• Coexisting psychiatric conditions such as depressive disorders, PTSD, or personality disorders)
• A tendency to suppress emotions

PNES is also more prevalent in the veteran population.

Common Co-Morbids with PNES

• PTSD
• Depressive Disorders
• Dissociative Disorders
• Somatic Symptom Disorder
• Personality Disorders

Treatment

PNES is treated by treating the underlying psychiatric conditions – this is done through therapy and potentially medication. Often, CBT based therapies will be used, as well as EMDR.

Sources

This Cleveland Clinic article inspired this page.