FAQs about psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)
How common are traumatic experiences in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?
History of traumatic experiences has been observed in a high percentage of PNES patients (ranging from 40 to 100%, according to different studies).
In adults with PNES, one quarter to three quarters of patients with PNES report a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse. Psychological trauma can also result from other experiences including childhood neglect, combat, witnessing or being the victim of a violent crime as an adult, suffering major accidents or natural disasters, significant medical/health issues, sudden loss of a loved one (e.g. a parent or a child), etc.
In children and adolescents with PNES, traumatic experiences can also occur prior to onset of PNES, although physical and sexual abuse occurs only in about 9-14% of patients (less frequent than adults). Pediatric patients often report traumatic experiences of bullying (up to 50%), family struggles including witnessing violence, and death or loss of a parents or caregiver.
Around 50% of patients with PNES carry a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Although common, having a history of past traumatic experiences is not a requirement for the diagnosis of PNES. In fact, psychological trauma and PTSD can also be observed in persons with epilepsy.
