Medicinski Glasnik (Aug 2011)
Psychical and psychological characteristics of patients with nonepileptic
Abstract
Aim To explore psychic and psychological characteristics of patientssuffering from non- epileptic seizures and compare them with the patients suffering from epilepsy. Methods Using medical documentation 40 patients with non epileptic seizures were compared with 40 randomly selected epilepsy patients according to psychiatric and psychological report, and using psychotropic medications. Results Both psychiatric and psychological reports have shown that pathologic changes were more frequently found within the epilepsy group (n = 20 and n=7, respectively) than in non-epileptic fits group (n= 18 and n=4, respectively). Six patients had neurotic disorders within the epilepsy group, versus 3 within the non-epileptic fits group. Conversion disorders were more frequently foundwithin the non-epileptic group (n=6) as compared to epilepsy group (n=2). Disorders due to acute reaction to stress occurred in six patients in the non-epileptic fits group versus three patients in theepilepsy group. Cognitive disorders were found more frequently within the epilepsy group (n=6) as compared to the non-epilepticfits group (n=1). Vulnerable character, adolescence crisis, deficitof social abilities and indifference were more frequently foundwithin the non-epileptic fits group (n=3) in comparison with theepilepsy group (n=1). Conclusion Psychiatric and psychological reports are most important elements in the diagnostic of psychogenic non-epilepticseizures.
