title: Non-convulsive status epilepticus presenting as a psychiatric condition.
abstract: Non-convulsive status epilepticus may present as confusion, behavioural disturbances and psychiatric conditions. We present the case of a 17-year-old man who had episodes of non-convulsive status epilepticus as his only manifestation of epilepsy which was mis-diagnosed as a psychiatric condition for over 10 years. He has had almost complete resolution of his symptoms with the introduction of carbamazepine. Non-convulsive status epilepticus is probably commoner than previously thought, and should be considered as a possible diagnosis in all patients presenting with prolonged episodes of altered consciousness even without other manifestations of epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: National Society for Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, London, England.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: O C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Cockerell
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine