Psychogenic Non Epileptic Seizures Information
Pseudo seizures
• What is the problem with this name? Calling something PSEUDO can be understood as meaning that it is "fake," "not sincere or authentic." This suggests that there is a conscious effort on the patient's part to deceive.
• To think of PNES in these terms confuses this condition with the concept of malingering which is to consciously fake or make up an illness.
The term pseudo-seizures needs to be abandoned because it is inaccurate, can diminish the empathy a health professional feels for the patient, and is offensive to the patient.
