Deconstructing stigma in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: An exploratory study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are classified as a mental disorder, mimicking epileptic seizures.
• A significant gap exists in research regarding the stigma associated with PNES.
• Understanding stigma in PNES is crucial for patient well-being and effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and compare the perceived stigma experienced by individuals with PNES versus those with epilepsy.
• To investigate the relationship between perceived stigma and other health-related factors in both patient groups.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory study comparing 47 individuals with PNES and 78 individuals with epilepsy.
• Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing quality of life, anxiety, depression, seizure severity, and illness perception.
• Perceived stigma was measured using a single item from the NEWQOL-6D questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Individuals with PNES reported significantly higher perceived stigma compared to those with epilepsy (p=0.04).
• The risk of experiencing perceived stigma was 42% higher in PNES than in epilepsy.
• Self-control was significantly associated with stigma in both PNES and epilepsy groups.

Conclusions:

• A majority (87.2%) of individuals with PNES reported experiencing perceived stigma, with a higher risk than in epilepsy.
• Unlike epilepsy, perceived stigma in PNES was not significantly associated with seizure frequency, anxiety, or depression in this study.
• Further research is essential to understand the prevalence, nature, and impact of stigma in PNES.