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Watson M, Cook K, Sillau S, Greenwell E, Libbon R, Strom L. Death of a loved one: A potential risk factor for onset of functional seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 155:109769. [PMID: 38636145 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Functional seizures (FS) are a symptom of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), the second most common neurological diagnosis made worldwide. Childhood trauma is associated with the development of FS, but more research is needed to truly understand the effects of trauma on FS onset. A sample of 256 responses by adults with FS to the Childhood Traumatic Events Scale were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model. When investigating each unique childhood traumatic exposure and its associated self-reported severity together, experiencing death of a loved one and experiencing violence were significantly associated with FS onset, suggesting reduced time from trauma exposure to first FS. Death of a loved one in childhood is often overlooked as an influential risk factor for future development of serious mental illnesses such as FS. In this study we show death of a loved one in childhood should be considered as an influential traumatic experience and recommend FND researchers examine its prevalence in patient histories and the potential effects on attachment-related processes and clinical treatment formulations. We recommend future studies incorporate loss of a loved one during childhood (before age 18) in both quantitative and qualitative assessments of persons with FND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Watson
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Kimberlyn Cook
- Department of Environmental Health and Safety, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stefan Sillau
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Greenwell
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Randi Libbon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Laura Strom
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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Cobb SJ, Beebe LH. Quality of Life in Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2022; 43:730-736. [PMID: 35148236 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2022.2035026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) pose a serious threat to quality of life (QOL) in patients who battle the disorder. As psychological treatment options have progressed, improvement in QOL has become a more common desired outcome. Despite its relevance in PNES research and treatment, QOL has not been defined in the PNES population. Rodgers' Evolutionary Method of concept analysis was used to analyze 47 articles and clarify the concept of QOL in PNES. QOL in PNES is subjective, multidimensional, associated with symptoms, and dynamic in nature. This conceptualization of QOL in PNES may be useful in future PNES research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra J Cobb
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lora Humphrey Beebe
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Krámská L, Hrešková L, Krámský D, Vojtěch Z. Attachment style of patients diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures at a tertiary Epilepsy Center in the Czech Republic. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1065201. [PMID: 36465292 PMCID: PMC9712441 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1065201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Quality and type of early relationships with primary caregivers is considered one of the key factors in the etiopathogenesis of many mental disorders including depression, anxiety, and conversion disorders. This study focused on the type and quality of attachment style in adult patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated the demographic data and profiles of PNES patients (n = 262) and group of healthy volunteers (n = 51) measured by the Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI) and Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) and Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structure (ECR-RS). RESULTS Significant differences in measured values between the two groups were identified; specifically, differences in the caregiver style-father and mother overprotection (PBI) was higher in the PNES group. The most frequent type of attachment in PNES was type 2 (preoccupied). Correlations between the PBI and ECR results were also found. CONCLUSION This study highlighted certain attachment styles in patients with PNES and statistically significant differences between patients with PNES and a healthy sample. Some correlations between the results of the questionnaires with socio-demographic factors were found. The identification of specific patterns in attachment may be useful for further use in reaching a differential diagnosis and administering tailored psychotherapy of patients with PNES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Krámská
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,Epilepsy Center, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lucia Hrešková
- Kúpele pre dušu, s.r.o., Bardejov Spa, Bardejov, Slovakia
| | - David Krámský
- Department of Social Science, Police Academy, Prague, Czechia
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Sawant NS, Umate MS. Dissociation, Stressors, and Coping in Patients of Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures. Indian J Psychol Med 2021; 43:479-484. [PMID: 35210675 PMCID: PMC8826194 DOI: 10.1177/0253717620956460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) commonly present both to neurologists and psychiatrists and include a wide range of psychopathology. In order to understand the demographics, dissociative experiences, stressful life events, abuse, and coping in these patients, this study was undertaken. METHODS This was a cross-sectional, observational study. A total of 71 patients of PNES, referred from neurology, were assessed on Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), Scale For Trauma and Abuse, Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES), and Ways of Coping Questionnaire to ascertain the dissociative experiences; the prevalence of trauma, abuse, and stressful life events, and the coping mechanisms. RESULTS Females predominated, with the duration of PNES up to 2 years. The mean ± SD total DES score was 38.14 ± 14.1, indicating high dissociation. On the PSLES, for the stressful life events in the last one year, the mean score was 98.28 ± 87.1. Marital and family conflicts and death were reported more. History of childhood or adult physical and sexual abuse was less reported. History of head trauma was present in 13 patients. Emotion-focused coping was used more than problem-solving strategies. CONCLUSIONS Very few Indian studies have looked into these nuances. This study has helped in improving the understanding of the various risk factors of PNES and the coping strategies, and in sensitizing psychiatrists and neurologists to enquire into trauma and abuse of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neena S Sawant
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Seth GSMC & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Maithili S Umate
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Grant Govt Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Reciprocal burden: Adults with drug-resistant epilepsy reflect upon informal caregiver support. Seizure 2021; 89:85-92. [PMID: 34034062 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore how a sample of people with uncontrolled seizures describe their experiences of receiving informal supportive care. METHODS Using constructivist grounded theory, in-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 35 adults with drug-resistant epilepsy. These 20 (57%) women and 15 (43%) men were aged 18-68 years (mean= 35.6 years), with a range of verbal comprehension scores. The majority, 28 (80%) lived in nuclear family settings. RESULTS Unpredictable seizures disrupted personal autonomy and generated unique challenges for everyday life. While supportive care was deemed necessary to survival, subjective reflections around the implications of care-receiving and caregiving, were ultimately experienced as mutually burdensome. Four dynamic and interactive dimensions revealed a mirrored, interactive perspective of what it meant to be a care-recipient: assuming responsibility; protecting and supervising; acknowledging reliance and setting boundaries. Care-recipience was not one-sided, but included actively hiding personal struggles as a way to shield the caregiver from the emotional and physical demands of caregiving. Relationship dynamics between caregivers and care-recipients played a major role in treatment decision-making. A clinically useful Theory of Reciprocal Burden resulted from our study. CONCLUSIONS This study adds an explanatory dimension to the concept of illness burden from the perspective of care-recipients. Relationship dynamics play a key role in patient-centered epilepsy care, with clinical implications for guiding supportive caregiving, fostering independence and promoting self-management strategies.
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Asadi-Pooya AA, Brigo F, Kozlowska K, Perez DL, Pretorius C, Sawchuk T, Saxena A, Tolchin B, Valente KD. Social aspects of life in patients with functional seizures: Closing the gap in the biopsychosocial formulation. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 117:107903. [PMID: 33740497 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The human, as a biological system, is an open system embedded within larger systems -including the family, culture, and socio-political environment. In this context, a patient with functional seizures (FS) is embedded in relationships, educational/professional institutions, culture, and society. Both connection to these broader systems and the quality of these connections, as well as the soundness of each system in and of itself, influence the health and well-being of patients in positive or negative ways. The social aspects of life are important determinants of health and quality of life across the lifespan. The current narrative review brings out several overarching themes in patients with FS. Sections on attachment, marriage, social networking, and stigma highlight the central roles of supportive and affirmative relationships across the lifespan. The section on education underscores the importance of keeping children and youth with FS connected within their school environments, as well as managing any barriers - learning difficulties, school response to FS events, stigma, etc.-that can diminish this connection. Finally, the sections on employment and driving highlight the value of being an active participant in one's society. In summary, FS impacts patients across most social aspects of life domains regardless of age - factors that are important when developing biopsychosocial formulations. This review concludes that the multidisciplinary management of FS requires careful assessment of social aspects of life in patients which can then be targeted for treatment, to improve their quality of life, facilitating recovery, and reducing the risk of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Merano-Meran, Italy
| | - Kasia Kozlowska
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - David L Perez
- Functional Neurological Disorder Clinical and Research Programs, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Chrisma Pretorius
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Tyson Sawchuk
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Aneeta Saxena
- Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Functional Neurological Disorder Clinical and Research Program, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Benjamin Tolchin
- Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Kette D Valente
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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Wardrope A, Wong S, McLaughlan J, Wolfe M, Oto M, Reuber M. Peri‐ictal responsiveness to the social environment is greater in psychogenic nonepileptic than epileptic seizures. Epilepsia 2020; 61:758-765. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.16471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Wardrope
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield UK
| | - Siew Wong
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield UK
| | | | - Maytal Wolfe
- William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre Glasgow UK
| | - Maria Oto
- William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre Glasgow UK
| | - Markus Reuber
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield UK
- Academic Neurology Unit University of Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield UK
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