Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
Published on: July 8, 2025
High prevalence of depression among Iranian patients with first onset pseudoseizures
Alireza Farnam1, Mohammad Ali Goreishizadeh, Sara Farhang
1Department of Psychiatry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Background:
Pseudoseizures are common and can pose a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Exploring the role of psychiatric disorders can be helpful. The aim of this study was to evaluate depression in patients with first onset pseudoseizure.
Materials And Methods:
Consecutive patients with pseudoseizure (DSM IV) in an emergency room (Tabriz, northwestern Iran) were evaluated with beck depression inventory (BDI) and were compared to age- and sex-matched patients with other neurologic disorders.
Results:
Forty-two patients with pseudoseizure (52% male; age: 25.7 +/- 6.4) were compared to 50 patients with other neurologic disorders (55.1% male; age: 27.2 +/- 5.7) by BDI. Marriage status and educational level were almost similar between two groups. The mean (+/-SD) score of BDI in patients with pseudoseizures and controls was 23.6 +/- 7.4 and 14.14 +/-10.5, respectively. Depression was more common and more severe among patients with pseudoseizures (96% vs. 60%).
Conclusion:
Depression is common among patients with pseudoseizure even in patients with first onset attacks.
Related Concept Videos
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Seizures l: Introduction
Depression: Overview
Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
