Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures in Children: Prevention and Intervention Strategies
Children; Diagnosis; Dissociative seizures; Intervention; Prevention; Pseudoseizures; Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) often get misdiagnosed to be epileptic seizures, and the price that is paid for the same by the patient and the family is huge. It is called by multiple names such as pseudoseizures non-epileptic attack disorder, dissociative seizures, and functional motor disorder. Not only is it difficult to identify the disorder, but it also poses an added difficulty with comorbid epilepsy. Adding on to these, it becomes difficult for both the healthcare provider to offer psychoeducation and the family to accept since no tangible evidence such as scans portrays any abnormality. Though in a simple manner it can be said this disorder presents itself like epileptic seizures but has no neurological base, explaining the same to the patients and their family is not as simple. However, surprisingly the prognosis for PNES is better for children. This chapter thus focuses on aspects that are essential for the treatment of the disorder and prevention. In particular, the manifestation of PNES in children is discussed by introducing the disorder with epidemiological information. Further clinical picture, etiology, diagnosis and prevention and intervention are discussed. Although there are limited studies that exist on the treatment of the disorder in the pediatric population, their outcomes to reduce PNES symptoms are significant. Hence, the chapter makes an attempt to review these studies in detail and mention highlights of these studies that contribute to a reduction in the symptoms. Finally, the chapter concludes with a biopsychosocial model that explains the relationship between these factors and PNES and how this can be used in prevention. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.
Child Safety, Welfare and Well-being: Issues and Challenges, Second Edition, pp. 577-590.
Reddy K.J., Department of Psychology, Centre for Research, Christ University, Bangalore, India; Haritsa S.V., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India; Rafiq A.