[Differential diagnosis of dissociative seizures]

Abstract

Patient history taking and semiology provide seminal clues to the diagnosis of dissociative seizures. Openness and alertness of the treating physician are essential. Video-electroencephalogram(EEG)-based analyses of the events are crucial to establish the correct diagnosis, particularly in complex cases. The patient-doctor relationship is of particular importance in order to successfully motivate the patient for psychotherapeutic treatment. Coexisting psychiatric morbidity as well as other functional somatic symptoms must be actively explored. Current changes in the established diagnostic manuals, including ICD-11, reflect the ongoing vivid interest and controversial discussions in the field of dissociative disorders.

Keywords: Dissociative disorder; Epilepsy; Functional neurologic symptom disorders; International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition; Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures (PNES); Psychotherapy.