title: Pseudoseizures and hysterical stridor.
abstract: Differentiation of pseudoseizures from epileptic seizures and hysterical stridor from asthma is key to the treatment of patients. Both pseudoseizures and hysterical stridor are associated commonly with sexual abuse, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Failure to reach an appropriate diagnosis results in inappropriate medical care including recurrent intubations, antiepileptic drugs, and excessive hospitalizations. This case represents the first instance of reported pseudoseizures in a patient with hysterical stridor secondary to childhood sexual abuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 125 Paterson Street Suite 2200, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. kaufmakr@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohebati
authors.forename: Anays
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sotolongo
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010360:Patient Transfer; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000187:drug effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D015283:Citalopram; D008140:Lorazepam