pseudoseizures

    
      Re: pseudoseizures
    


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Posted by CCF NEURO MD on June 26, 1997 at 11:04:27:

In Reply to: pseudoseizures posted by CHERYL R.N. on June 16, 1997 at 20:56:05:

: I AM A HOME HEALTH NURSE CURRENTLY CARING FOR A 32 YR OLD  FEMALE WITH SARCOIDOSIS.  SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SEIZURE DISORDER RELATED TO THE SARCOID APPROX. 6-8 MONTHS AGO, THIS PAST WEEK SHE WAS TOLD THEY ARE PSEUDOSEIZURES.  I AM UNABLE TO FIND ANY LITERATURE ON THIS SUBJECT SUCH AS HOW DO THEY DIFFER FROM  SEIZURES AND WHAT CAN I DO TO BETTER CARE FOR THIS CLIENT.  I HAVE SEEN THESE SEIZURES OCCUR MANY TIMES AND THEY ARE SO BIZARRE AND I FEEL SO HELPLESS.  I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO, THANK YOU.
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Dear Cheryl,
Pseudoseizures are non-epileptic in nature, meaning they are not generated by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.  They are sometimes referred as stress-seizures.  They may result from a number of different factors.  It is not uncommon ot see this type of seizure in an individual who had experienced a traumatic event, or who is under various types of stresses.  There may be a history of chemical, physical or sexual abuse in the past history of these patients.  It is also not uncommon for patients with real seizures to develop pseudoseizures.  If the cause of the seizure is not a disturbance of brain activity, then medicines to correct the problem will not help.  To determine whether the seizures are epileptic or non-epileptic, a person must undergo an EEG (electroencephalogram) and be monitored for seizure activity.  A specially trained neurologist, epileptologist will be able to determine if the seizures are true seizures. Pseudoseizures are often bizarre in presentation which can be easily
recognized and then confirmed by EEG. Non-epileptiform seizures are best treated with counseling.  The diagnosis is important because medicines to treat seizures have many side effects.  Neurosarcoidosis can cause seizures and that is why it took a while to come to a diagnosis after a thorough workup.  I hope this was helpful.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.  Please consult the primary physician for diagnostic and treatment options for the specific medical condition.