title: Prevalence of alexithymia in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and epileptic seizures and predictors in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The first objective of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of alexithymia (dysregulation and unawareness of emotion) in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNESs) and epileptic seizures (ESs). The second objective was to identify the predictors of alexithymia in patients with PNESs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 66 consecutive patients with PNESs and 35 patients with ESs with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. The prevalence of alexithymia was determined in both groups. In order to identify the risk factors of alexithymia in PNES, the Trauma Symptom Inventory-II (TSI-II), the MMPI 2-RF, a clinical history, and demographic variables were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study revealed a prevalence of alexithymia in PNES and ES of 36.9% and 28.6%, respectively (not a significant difference). Upon examining the group with PNES, we found a significant correlation between alexithymia and Anxious Arousal (r=.497, p<.000), Intrusive Experiences (r=.541, p<.000), Dissociation (r=.421, p<.001), and Defensive Avoidance (r=.444, p<.000) from the TSI-II. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-RF RCd (r=.512, p<.000), RC1 (r=.346, p<.017), RC2 (r=.355, p<.017), RC3 (r=.467, p<.001), and EID (r=.567, p<.000) also correlated significantly with alexithymia. However, stepwise regression analysis only retained Intrusive Experiences and Defensive Avoidance from the TSI-II and the cynicism RC3 scale from the MMPI 2-RF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptoms of psychological trauma and cynicism in patients diagnosed with PNESs were associated with alexithymia. These findings are encouraging, as they assist in better understanding the condition and in treatment design for this subset of patients.
authors: Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, New York, NY 10017, USA. lmyers@epilepsygroup.com
authors: Lorna
authors: L
authors: Myers
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Matzner
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Lancman
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Perrine
authors: Marcelo
authors: M
authors: Lancman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology