psuedo epilectic fits

[wulluff]

Mrs wulluffs youngest (16) is disabled and amongst other things has epilepsy - but about 4 weeks ago started having fits which have now been diagnosed as psuedo epilepsy; the Dr's are of the opinion this is fairly common but Mrs W thinks he may be attention seeking. It's all a bit serious now as he's had 2 days in hospital so any info from those with experience welcomed.

thanks

[knk]

Pseudofits are a term for faking it, in a nutshell.
You may be right with attention seeking.

Edited by knk on Saturday 4th April 20:45

[Mexico.]

wrong.

[knk]

Well, faking it may be a little strong.
Non-epileptiform seizures of psychogenic origin is the new term for pseudoseizures.
They are associated with secondary gain and may be consciously put on or it may be unconscious. The fact is they are not epilepsy, there is no physical cause for them and they are are a form of (conscious or unconscious) attention seeking behaviour which often accompany affective or personality disorders or simply acopia.

[elster]

In my limited medical knowledge of Pseudo fits.

They are psychologically caused rather than the usual electrical epi.

[gopher]

Mexico. said:

wrong.

Very useful, well done.

I had a relative that started doing this as a youngster, it lasted about 12-18 months (it's just a case of not remembering this was 20 odd years ago). He was treated for epilepsy but this made no difference, however he did show signs of excessive attention seeking and when this was treated the "epilepsy" symptoms disappeared as well.

[VR6time]

Is this not the same as a Petit Mal?

[drmark]

VR6time said:

Is this not the same as a Petit Mal?

Nope. knk is on the money.

[LMC]

VR6time said:

Is this not the same as a Petit Mal?

A petit mal is an absence seizure, a short period of "vacantness" of you know what I mean. No muscle involvement.