Abstract
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are paroxysmal, time-limited changes in physical or psychic functions based on psychological etiology. Their clinical appearance resembles epileptic seizures, but they do not manifest abnormal synchronized neuronal activity, usually appearing on the electroencephalogram.
Treatment of patients with PNES requires a multidisciplinary approach starting with a sensitive PNES notification, discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs or possible pharmacological treatment of associated psychiatric disorders and initiation of appropriate psychotherapy as the main treatment (Dworetzky & Baslet, 2017). We see the importance of our work in the proposal of a psychoeducation procedure for cooperation with patients with PNES for Czech and Slovak clinical specialists who have not yet had these procedures available.
In a first meta-analysis on the usefulness of psychological interventions in patients diagnosed with PNES, Carlson and Perry (2017) emphasize the increased need for education on current treatment options for professionals working with these patients, and also appeal to the importance of understanding the disease by patients themselves. The results of the analyzes suggest that psychological interventions in patients diagnosed with PNES reduce the incidence of seizures compared to patients without psychotherapeutic treatment.
Some factors associated with PNES may require adaptation of the PNES treatment methodology or adaptation of therapy to individual psychological history if treatment is to be successful. Initial psychoeducation of patients (and their relatives) is, based on current studies, a very important step in the process of treating patients diagnosed with PNES (for example Chen et al. 2014).
References:. Carlson, P., & Perry, K.N. (2017).
Psychological interventions for psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A meta-analysis. Seizure, 45, 142-150..
Dworetzky, B.A., & Baslet, G.C. (2017). Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.
Toward the integration of care. New York, United States of America: Oxford University Press..
Chen, D.K., Maheshwari, A., Franks, R., Trolley, G. C., Robinson, J.
S., & Hrachovy, R. A. (2014).
Brief group psychoeducation for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: a neurologist-initiated program in an epilepsy center. Epilepsy, 55 (1), 156-166.