Psychogenic seizures: a clinical study with follow-up data.
We evaluated the natural history and prognosis of psychogenic or hysterical seizures in patients discharged from the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 3 years between 1971 and 1974. Follow-up data were obtained 5 years or more after discharge. Among 41 patients with convincing evidence of psychogenic seizures, there were coexisting organic neurologic disorders in 18 (44%). Mental subnormality or retardation was present in 17% and true epileptic seizures in 37%. EEG abnormalities found in 38% of individuals with psychogenic seizures were attributed to these organic neurologic disorders or anticonvulsant drug toxicity. There was significant long-term morbidity in 56% of these individuals because of psychosocial problems rather than misdiagnosis of psychogenic seizures.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology