The treatment and diagnosis of non-epileptic attack disorder

Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition in the UK with a lifetime prevalence of 2-5% of the population. Epilepsy is also common in the learning disability population. As many as 36% of patients diagnosed with epilepsy may have 'pseudoepileptic' episodes instead of, or as well as, true epileptic attacks. This article explains how the diagnosis of non-epileptic attack disorder is made and identifies some of the difficulties inherent in diagnosing and treating this disorder. The costs of failing to recognize the condition are illustrated in a case study that also demonstrates the effectiveness of the interventions of a specialist epilepsy nurse in terms of health and economic gains and is an example of the benefits of effective multidisciplinary teamwork.