title: Diagnosis of hysterical seizures in epileptic patients.
abstract: The coexistence of epileptic and hysterical seizures in the same patient is not rare and creates problems in diagnosis and management. The authors used simultaneous video-EEG monitoring to document the diagnosis of hysterical seizures in 9 epileptic patients; clear-cut hysterical seizures were seen in all 9. The authors used individualized re-educative psychotherapy to teach patients alternative coping techniques and discharged them on minimum dosages of anticonvulsants. None of the patients had a classical hysterical personality, which suggests that conversion reaction is a more appropriate diagnosis, The etiology of "hysterical" seizures varies; the authors emphasize individualized treatment and long-term follow-up.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis*