RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Are psychogenic non-epileptic seizures just another symptom of conversion disorder?
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 425
OP 429
DO 10.1136/jnnp-2017-315639
VO 88
IS 5
A1 Kanaan, Richard A A
A1 Duncan, Roderick
A1 Goldstein, Laura H
A1 Jankovic, Joseph
A1 Cavanna, Andrea E
YR 2017
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/88/5/425.abstract
AB Background Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are classified with other functional neurological symptoms as ‘Conversion Disorder’, but there are reasons to wonder whether this symptomatology constitutes a distinct entity.Methods We reviewed the literature comparing PNES with other functional neurological symptoms.Results We find eight studies that directly examined this question. Though all but one found significant differences—notably in presenting age, trauma history, and dissociation—they were divided on whether these differences represented an important distinction.Conclusion We argue that the aetiological and mechanistic distinctions they support, particularly when bolstered by additional data, give reason to sustain a separation between these conditions.