Ask the Expert- Spotlight on Nonepileptic Events

• Are all events that look like seizures called epilepsy?
• What other problems look like epilepsy but aren’t?
• For years I’ve been treated for epilepsy and now the doctors say I don’t have epilepsy. What is going on?
• What does the term nonepileptic seizures or events mean?
• Do all nonepileptic events have a psychological cause?
• Can people with epilepsy also have events that are not caused by epilepsy?

Have you ever asked any of these questions? If so, you’re not alone! Many health problems can cause symptoms that look like epilepsy, but are not associated with electrical discharges in the brain. When this occurs, we say that a person has nonepileptic events. There can be many possible causes, both physical and psychological. Sorting out the possible causes is part of a medical work-up that should be done for anyone with suspected seizures or epilepsy.

Unfortunately, too many people don’t understand what epilepsy is and what it isn’t. They also don’t understand what nonepileptic events are and, as a result, too many people aren’t properly diagnosed and don’t get the right help and care.

Our next Ask the Expert session will feature Dr. Selim Benbadis, professor and director of epilepsy at the University of South Florida, and Lorna Myers, director of PNES diagnostic and treatment program at the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group. They will help us shine the spotlight on nonepileptic events. We’ll talk about what they are, possible causes, treatments and more.

Do you have a question on this topic? Please send it in and we’ll ask our experts!

• Write your question in the comment section on this page.
• Or email your question to pshafer@efa.org.

Thanks for your help and we’ll keep you posted when the session is posted!

Best wishes,

Patty Osborne Shafer RN, MN
Associate Editor/Community Manager
Epilepsy.com