title: Non-epileptic attack disorder: the importance of diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: A 50-year-old woman was taken to hospital by emergency ambulance during her first seizure. She was admitted to hospital, treated with intravenous diazepam, diagnosed with epilepsy and started on antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. This was ineffective so she was referred to a tertiary centre where she underwent video EEG and was diagnosed with non-epileptic attack disorder. Her experience of the diagnosis was positive; it allowed her to understand what was happening to her and to understand the link between her seizures, adverse childhood experiences and the death of her mother. She stopped taking AEDs and she was referred to a psychologist which led to a significant improvement in her functioning and quality of life. We present this case as a good example of the benefits of accurate diagnosis, clear explanation and access to specialist care.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Jon Mark
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1361-2714
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dickson
authors.affiliation: The University of Sheffield, ScHaRR, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.affiliation: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Grünewald
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Howlett
authors.affiliation: Section of Public Health, ScHARR, The University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bissell
authors.affiliation: Academic Neurology Unit, University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reuber
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*