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Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in an Irish tertiary referral centre for epilepsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Finian M O'Brien ,
Norman Delanty ,
Catherine Dineen  and
Kieran C Murphy
Finian M O'Brien*
Affiliation:
Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont Road, Dublin 9, Ireland
Norman Delanty
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
Catherine Dineen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
Kieran C Murphy
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
*
*Correspondence E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives: To examine the prevalence, psychiatric co-morbidity and management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in patients admitted to a tertiary referral Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU).

Methods: Medical records of patients admitted to the EMU between 2003 and 2005 were examined and data from neurological, neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological assessments were analysed.

Results: Over a three year period 224 patients were referred to the EMU and 44 (20%) were diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). A total of 13 people (6%) were diagnosed with both PNES and epilepsy. Of those diagnosed with PNES 34 (75%) were referred to psychology services for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and 26 (58%) were followed-up by psychiatry services.

Conclusions: The prevalence rates for PNES and co-existing PNES and epilepsy are consistent with previous reports. Rates of psychiatric co-morbidity were less than would be expected in this clinical population. Clear evidence-based guidelines to manage people with PNES are required.

Keywords

PsychogenicNon-epileptic convulsionsConversion disorderPrevalenceEpilepsy
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 26 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 174 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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