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Developmental Background and Outcome in Patients with Nonepileptic Versus Epileptic Seizures: A Controlled Study
Author(s) -
Berkhoff Magdalena,
Briellmann Regula S.,
Radanov Bogdan P.,
Donati Filippo,
Hess Christian W.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1998.tb01406.x
Subject(s) - psychogenic disease , psychosocial , psychology , epilepsy , pediatrics , clinical psychology , medicine , psychiatry
Summary:Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the relevance of developmental emotional stress factors, which are considered to influence emotional functioning, as contributing factors in the development of psychogenic symptoms. Methods: Ten patients with nonepileptic seizures (non‐ESs)(frequently referred to as psychogenic seizures), in whom diagnosis had been confirmed by a placebo‐infusion test (PT), and 10 control patients with complex partial seizures (ESs) were evaluated with regard to developmental background by using structured in‐depth interviews performed by a single interviewer blinded to the diagnosis. In addition, outcome assessment in the non‐ES group after PT was done. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in developmental psychosocial stress or in any single developmental stress factor. Six months after PT, the outcome was favorable in patients with non‐ES: six were seizure free, and two had a considerable reduction in frequency of seizures. Conclusions: Our research indicates the following: (a) a high incidence of developmental stress factors and functional disturbances may be found in patients with non‐ESs and ESs; (b) assessment of developmental emotional stress and functional disturbances as a basis for validating the diagonsis of non‐ES should be treated with caution; (c) use of PT followed by supportive information about the nonepileptic origin of the attacks may have a positive therapeutic effect or help to introduce psychotherapeutic treatment.