Non-epileptic seizure

Non-epileptic seizures (pronunciation: non-ep-i-lep-tic sei-zures) are paroxysmal events that mimic an epileptic seizure but do not involve abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical neurons. They are caused by either physiological or psychological conditions.

Etymology

The term "non-epileptic" is derived from the Greek word "epilepsia", meaning "to seize upon" and the prefix "non-" indicating the absence of epileptic characteristics. The term "seizure" originates from the Old French word "saisir", meaning "to take hold of".

Types

Non-epileptic seizures can be divided into two main types:

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): These are caused by psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety or trauma. They are also known as "pseudo-seizures".
Physiological non-epileptic seizures: These are caused by various physiological conditions such as heart conditions, sleep disorders, or low blood sugar.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of non-epileptic seizures often involves a detailed medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as EEG and MRI. It is important to differentiate non-epileptic seizures from epileptic seizures as the treatment and prognosis are different.

Treatment

Treatment of non-epileptic seizures depends on the underlying cause. For psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often effective. For physiological non-epileptic seizures, treatment of the underlying condition is necessary.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Non-epileptic seizure
Wikipedia's article - Non-epileptic seizure

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Non-epileptic seizure