Psychologic treatment of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Abstract

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures are relatively common, often disabling and costly to patients and society. Most authorities consider psychologic treatment as the therapeutic intervention of choice. This review is intended primarily for psychologists and therapists who treat patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, and for neurologists who make the diagnosis and wish to find out more about psychologic treatment options. The first section describes the nature and etiology of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. General questions regarding the psychologic treatment of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures are addressed, before discussing specific therapeutic approaches. The final part summarizes the authors’ views on optimal treatment and the direction of future research.

Keywords::

• cognitive behavioral therapy
• conversion disorder
• dissociation
• functional symptoms
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• pseudoseizures
• psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
• psychotherapy
• somatization
• somatoform disorder