Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (12 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post Assessment Questions

6

Start Date

1 Jan 2021

Last Review Date

25 Feb 2024

Expiration Date

31 Dec 2023

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Nonepileptic episodic events can be vexing for the patient, and they present considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to neurologists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare practitioners. Broadly construed, nonepileptic episodic events are paroxysmal occurrences arising from a physiologic or psychogenic cause, resulting in alterations in behavior, experience, sensation, or movement.  Nonepileptic episodic events closely resemble so-called epileptic seizures. However, they are not caused by the excessive synchronous cortical electroencephalographic activity that defines epileptic seizures, nor are they associated with concomitant epileptiform abnormalities on electroencephalogram. Both physiologic and psychogenic origins are subsumed under the general term nonepileptic episodic events. The term "psychogenic nonepileptic seizures" (PNES) reinforces the idea that events are not epileptic seizures and may instead be of psychogenic origin. At the same time, PNES signals to the knowledgeable practitioner that the evaluation and management will be different than for similar-appearing events that do have "epileptic" origins. PNES and epilepsy can coexist.

In most cases, the skills of an epilepsy specialist with access to an epilepsy monitoring unit will be needed to confirm the PNES diagnosis. Diagnostic confirmation is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments, some of which risk nontrivial harm. This activity reviews the differences between epileptic seizures and PNES and outlines an approach to prompt diagnostic confirmation and implementation of appropriate treatment strategies. This activity further highlights the role of the interprofessional team in caring for patients with PNES.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Differentiate elements of the history and the ictus that suggest psychogenic nonepileptic seizures versus those suggesting epilepsy.

  • Identify the necessary elements of history, physical examination, and testing that must be present to substantiate a diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

  • Select the correct treatment strategies for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and differentiate them from the usual treatment for epilepsy.

  • Apply interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and patient education to advance the treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and improve patient outcomes.

Disclosures

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they or their immediate family may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by CUSOM for resolution, to ensure fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

CUSOM will identify, review, and resolve all conflicts of interest that faculty, authors, activity directors, planners, managers, peer reviewers, or relevant staff disclose prior to an educational activity being delivered to learners. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation. Disclosure information for authors, editors, planners, peer reviewers, and/or relevant staff is provided with this activity.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

 

 

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. CUSOM designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AOA Category 1 B Credits and will report CME credits commensurate with the extent of the physician's participation in the activity.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and a money back guarantee is provided if not completely satisfied.

  • StatPearls and CUSOM reserve the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances. StatPearls and CUSOM will not be responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant in the unlikely event that the program is canceled.

Equal Opportunity

  • StatPearls and CUSOM are Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Equal Access Institutions. 

Medium or Media Used:

  • Computer Requirements:  Internet Access
  • E-mail Address

Instructions for Credit

  1. Register for the activity and create a StatPearls login.     
  2. Review the required accreditation information:  Target audience, learning objectives and disclosure information.
  3. Complete the entire self-study activity.
  4. Complete the post-test assessments.
  5. Successfully pass the post-test with a minimum score of 100%.
  6. Complete the evaluation form.
  7. Obtain a certificate.

StatPearls and CUSOM adheres to AOA Standards regarding commercial support of continuing medical education. It is the policy of StatPearls and Campbell that the faculty and planning committee disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this educational activity, that relevant conflict(s) of interest are resolved and also that authors and editors will disclose any unlabeled/unapproved use of drug(s) or device(s) during their presentation. Detailed disclosure will be made prior to starting the activity.

The information provided at this CME/CE activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

This course is intended for osteopathic physicians who wish to earn AOA CME credit. Take this version of the course to ensure you receive appropriate credit.

 

 
 

Reviews

Elyshia L. on 6/24/2021

Bibhu Prasad N. on 11/22/2021

Lisa R. on 2/4/2022

Chris K. on 1/30/2023

Harlan H. on 3/5/2023

Dr Jagveer S. on 5/14/2023

Chia-Chen W. on 6/13/2023

kathleen w. on 11/11/2023

Akshaya K. on 11/17/2023

James S. on 11/25/2023

Malani K. on 1/25/2024

Joseph S. on 3/11/2024

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