FAQs about psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)
What triggers psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?
PNES may seemingly happen spontaneously (out of the blue) or may be triggered. Triggers may be inside or outside the body. Examples of inside triggers are physical symptoms, emotions, thoughts, and memories. Examples of outside triggers include something picked up by the senses (sounds, smells, lights, etc.), or difficult experiences that are encountered.
However, PNES can also happen when you are resting and relaxed and removed from any detectable trigger.
Usually, with the help of treatment, many patients become more aware of vulnerable states, environmental triggers and changes in thoughts and emotions that predispose them to experience a PNES episode.
