Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) present a specific diagnosis which demands the inevitable interdisciplinary coordination of patients's health care (diagnosis determination using long-term video-EEG monitoring in epileptological centers and subsequent psychiatric/psychotherapeutic long-term treatment). The coordination turned out problematic in the clinical praxis.
The most severe morbidity of the PNES patients is caused by inappropriate medical interventions supposing these are epilepsy seizures. Inappropriate pharmacologic treatment also means side effects of chronic antiepileptic medication (weight gain, hair loss, idiosyncratic reactions, teratogenity).
Wrong diagnostic conclusion of PNES status for epileptic leads to groundless aggressive parenteral administration of antipeileptics, endotracheal intubation, coma initiation with general anaesthesia and artificial lung ventilation.