What Are Psychogenic Seizures?
Sometimes people appear to have
seizures, even though their brains show no
seizure activity. This type of phenomenon has various names, including nonepileptic events and pseudoseizures. Both of these terms essentially mean something that looks like a seizure but isn't one.
One type of nonepileptic seizure is called psychogenic seizures.
Psychogenic Seizures: Specifics
Nonepileptic events that are psychological in origin may be referred to as psychogenic seizures. Psychogenic seizures may indicate dependence, a need for attention, avoidance of stressful situations, or specific psychiatric conditions.
Some people with
epilepsy have psychogenic seizures in addition to their epileptic seizures.
Other people who have psychogenic seizures do not have epilepsy at all.
Diagnosing Psychogenic Seizures
Because symptoms of these psychogenic seizures can look very much like those of epileptic seizures, they are often mistaken for epilepsy. Distinguishing between true epileptic seizures and psychogenic seizures can be very difficult and requires a thorough medical assessment, careful monitoring, and knowledgeable health professionals.
Improvements in brain scanning and monitoring technology may improve diagnosis of psychogenic seizures in the future.