Learning About Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

What are psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), also known as functional seizures, are seizures that are not caused by the electrical bursts that happen in epilepsy. People who have a lot of stress, a mental health condition, or emotional trauma may be more likely to have PNES.

Epilepsy doesn't cause these seizures. But people with epilepsy also may have PNES.

Even though PNES isn't the same as epilepsy, the seizures are real and can be scary. And not knowing why you're having them can be frustrating.

What happens during PNES?

PNES may look like epileptic seizures. But epileptic seizures usually follow the same pattern every time. With PNES, each episode may be different.

Some people have episodes often. Others have them only once in a while. For some people, episodes stop over time. Other people keep having them.

What are the symptoms of PNES?

During a PNES episode, you may have jerky movements, tingling skin, or problems with coordination. You may notice changes in your vision or sense of smell.

How is PNES diagnosed?

Your doctor will do tests to find out if you have epilepsy. An electroencephalogram (EEG) lets your doctor see the electrical activity of your brain. The test is often used to diagnose epilepsy. It helps your doctor know what types of seizures you are having.

Your doctor also may do blood tests.

PNES can be mistaken for epilepsy at first. As a result, some people with PNES are treated with epilepsy medicines. But most of the time, these medicines don't help. The right diagnosis allows your doctor to give you treatments that will help with the stress and other issues that may be related to PNES.

How is PNES treated?

Treatment varies with each person. The main goal of treatment is to find and treat whatever is causing PNES.

Counseling is the main treatment for PNES. Because PNES isn't caused by a problem in the brain, medicines that are used to treat epilepsy are not used to treat this condition.