title: Conversion disorder as psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in suspected cancer: a case report.
abstract: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), a form of conversion disorder, are paroxysmal episodes resembling epilepsy while lacking electrographic correlation. The phenomenon has rarely been reported in elderly patients and has not been associated with a new-onset medical diagnosis. We present the case of an 81-year-old female with no past psychiatric or traumatic history who developed PNES within the context of a new, suspected cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first such reported case of a suspected cancer (or otherwise medical) diagnosis contributing directly and temporally to the development of PNES. Discussion of involved psychosocial variables follows the vignette, and a brief review of relevant literature is offered.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, 9500 Euclid Avenue, P57, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Electronic address: jimenex2@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Xavier F
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, 9500 Euclid Avenue, P57, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, 9500 Euclid Avenue, P57, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Syma A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Dar
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Cancer; Conversion disorder; Medical stressor; Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures