Are psychogenic non-epileptic seizures just another symptom of conversion disorder?

2017-05

Kanaan, Richard A A

Duncan, Roderick

Goldstein, Laura H

Jankovic, Joseph

Cavanna, Andrea E

Aetiology

Functional neurological disorder

Mechanism

Nosology

Psychogenic movement disorder

Journal Article

0000-0003-0992-1917

10.1136/jnnp-2017-315639

BACKGROUND: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are classified with other functional neurological symptoms as 'Conversion Disorder', but there are reasons to wonder whether this symptomatology constitutes a distinct entity. METHODS: We reviewed the literature comparing PNES with other functional neurological symptoms. RESULTS: We find eight studies that directly examined this question. Though all but one found significant differences-notably in presenting age, trauma history, and dissociation-they were divided on whether these differences represented an important distinction. CONCLUSION: We argue that the aetiological and mechanistic distinctions they support, particularly when bolstered by additional data, give reason to sustain a separation between these conditions.

link

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2017; 88(5): 425-429

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry