ABSTRACT
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) may be the most extensively documented and investigated of the somatoform disorders, with a publication history dating back at least to the early Greeks. Uniquely among somatoform symptoms, PNES can be diagnosed with near 100% certainty due to the gold standard technique of video-EEG. This chapter presents three clinical cases to walk the reader through the thinking on these issues. It describes not only what one find significant but the literature underlying these opinions. Video-EEG remains the clear diagnostic gold standard for differentiating epilepsy from PNES. However, the literature shows that details about a patient's spell semiology, medical history, and personality can support diagnostic confidence as well as provide a psychological formulation for the development of PNES in that particular patient. The neuropsychologist can play an important role in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of PNES. One can assist the referral sources and help the patients and families presenting with the problems.
