In epilepsy, there are a reported 140 types of seizures. To date, I have not found a number for PNES (psychogenic nonepileptic seizures). There are descriptions of dissociative seizures or conversion disorder that mimic epilepsy very closely to other accounts that do not.
Older terms such as hysteria and hysterical epilepsy are not used as much any longer as they are understandably not well received and not necessarily accurate.
Labels can be crippling.
Patients will label themselves as crazy as soon as epilepsy is ruled out. If the diagnosis of PNES is not delivered with compassion, education and understanding, much damage can be done. The second component that must be always included is a comprehensive treatment plan with follow through.
Please don't let these people slip through the cracks. Take the time and interest, or find someone to do so for you. If you have diagnosed PNES, find someone in the community your patient lives in that treats somatic disorders, PTSD, dissociative disorders, and familiarize yourself with Peter Levine's work at traumahealing.com. Dr. Benbadis, an epileptologist in Tampa, FL is having success with EMDR (see "The Truth of Psychogenic Seizures, and EMDR Explained).
I'm doing well with EMDR and with a somatic treator. Other folks I'm speaking with are trying biofeedback, self hypnosis and cognitive treatment with varying success.
Thank you for dropping your judgment around these patients. They are suffering very deeply and help is scarce, hostility abundant. They have been grouped in with malingerers and fakers. Please help separate them out and give them the help they need and deserve. Let's all do no harm.
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