Understanding the perceived treatment needs of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Psychological therapy is generally considered the treatment of choice for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), but there is a paucity of research on patients' attitudes towards psychological referral. We conducted semistructured interviews with twelve patients with PNES awaiting psychological treatment in order to understand their perceived treatment needs. Data were analyzed inductively according to the principles of thematic analysis. The results indicated that our patients had clear ideas about their treatment needs and a desire to recover by 'returning to normality'. Many participants felt 'caught in limbo' following their PNES diagnosis, however, because of uncertainties about their condition and a lack of support from professionals. This linked with participants feeling unsure whether psychological treatment would meet their needs; there was also apprehension for some participants about the potential negative consequences of therapy. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, and recommendations for future research are made.