Pediatric Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures: A Concise Review

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2018 Jan;27(1):53-61. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.08.007. Epub 2017 Oct 20.

Abstract

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures is a complicated biopsychosocial disorder with significant morbidity and high cost in children's social, emotional, family, and academic functioning as well as health care service utilization. Misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay, resulting from both lack of access to approved standards for diagnosing and service providers comfortable with diagnosing and treating this disorder, impact prognosis. Treatment in close proximity to symptom onset is thought to provide the best chance for remission.

Keywords: Conversion; Epilepsy; Functional neurologic disorder; Pediatric; Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Comorbidity
  • Conversion Disorder / psychology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Pediatrics*
  • Prognosis
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / psychology*
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / therapy*
  • Risk Factors
  • Seizures / psychology*