What Are Non-Epileptic Seizures?

Non-epileptic seizures (NES)---sometimes inappropriately called pseudoseizures---are often mistaken for epileptic seizures, but are not caused by neurological disorders. The symptoms of NES are similar to epilepsy, which include involuntary twitching, head movements, emotional outbursts and tongue biting.

Significance

• According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), between two and 33 people out of every 100,000 suffer from some form of NES--the majority of NES sufferers are women.

Diagnosis

• There are a number of tests that can determine the nature of non-epileptic seizures, which include blood tests, CT scan, EEG, video-electroencephalography and MRI.

Physiologic NES

• Non-epileptic seizures are divided into two categories: physiologic and psychogenic. Factors that can lead to a physiologic non-epileptic seizure episode include: excessive use of alcohol, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia and sleep problems.

Psychogenic

• Psychogenic seizures occur as result of stress-related mental conditions, such as depression or panic attacks, and physical or emotional trauma, such as sexual abuse or death of a loved one.

Treatment

• Physiologic seizures require the treatment of underlying medical conditions. Treatment of psychogenic seizures includes anti-anxiety medication, anti-depressants, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.