PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Markus Reuber
TI  - Dissociative (non-epileptic) seizures: tackling common challenges after the diagnosis
AID  - 10.1136/practneurol-2018-002177
DP  - 2019 Aug 01
TA  - Practical Neurology
PG  - 332--341
VI  - 19
IP  - 4
4099  - http://pn.bmj.com/content/19/4/332.short
4100  - http://pn.bmj.com/content/19/4/332.full
SO  - Pract Neurol2019 Aug 01; 19
AB  - Dissociative (non-epileptic) seizures are one of the three major causes of transient loss of consciousness. As such, their treatment cannot be left to superspecialised experts. In this article I draw on personal experience to suggest ways to tackle some challenges that commonly arise after diagnosing dissociative seizures, focusing on three issues: “I want to know what is wrong with me,” “I hear what you are saying but it doesn’t apply to me” and “What if I have a seizure?” The suggestions detail both actions and words that may help at a crucial point in the patient’s journey. If handled well, the process can leave the patient better equipped to understand their seizures and to engage in further treatment; if handled badly, patients may be left more traumatised, angry and with additional disability.