Basic principles of psychotherapeutic treatment of patients diagnosed with Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES)
Abstract
The term psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) refers to a conversion disorder mimicking epileptic seizures that are psychological etiologies (according to ICD-10). Neuropsychological examination is an integral part of the diagnosis and treatment of PNES concerning their psychogenic character.
The primary treatment is psychotherapy. Based on current research and long-term clinical experience with these patients (Epilepsy Center, Na Homolce Hospital) we elaborated the basic principles of psychotherapeutic and psychoeducation work for clinical psychologists and psychotherapists cooperating with patients diagnosed with PNES.
Recent research findings emphasize the importance of introducing initial psychoeducation in the psychotherapeutic treatment of patients diagnosed with PNES and their relatives.