The etiology of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: toward a biopsychosocial model.
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are one of the most common differential diagnoses of epilepsy. PNES are poorly understood and often sub-optimally treated. This article summarizes current knowledge about the etiology of PNES. Through describing the interactions of predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and triggering factors, an integrated biopsychosocial model of a complex disorder is developed. PNES emerge as a dissociative response to a range of different stressors in vulnerable individuals. Once established, maintaining factors turn a temporary disturbance into a chronically disabling disorder.
Academic Neurology Unit, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK. Electronic address: mreuber@doctors.org.uk.
Markus
M
Reuber
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*