title: Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures: An Updated Primer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are the most common paroxysmal event misdiagnosed as epilepsy. They significantly affect quality of life, functional status, and use of medical resources.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this review is to provide guidance to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in the understanding and practical management of this condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An abundance of new reports on the pathogenesis and effective treatments have become available over the last decade, yet specific barriers impede the fluid transition to treatment and remain an important challenge in the management of patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. In the context of these difficulties, we initially present background information on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures covering their historic context, epidemiology, etiologic factors (including psychiatric, neuromedical, and neuropsychological factors), and current neurobiological models. Updated evidence-based treatments are discussed along with data on long-term outcomes. We also provide practical tools to help clinicians navigate differential diagnoses, establish their interdisciplinary roles, communicate the diagnosis, deliver treatment, and sort out commonly encountered challenges in the management of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address: gbaslet@partners.org.
authors.forename: Gaston
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baslet
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seshadri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bermeo-Ovalle
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willment
authors.affiliation: Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019468:Disease Management; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000175:diagnosis; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D020447:Parasomnias / Q000175:diagnosis; D017286:Polysomnography; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents