Multifamily Group Psychotherapy for Patients With Nonepileptic Seizures and Their Families

Multifamily group (MFG) psychotherapy is widely used for mental and general medical conditions. MFG therapy engages family members in caring for a loved one experiencing illness and helps clarify the impact of illness on family. Use of MFG therapy for patients with nonepileptic seizures (NES) and their families to explore satisfaction with treatment and family functioning is described.

MFG therapy for patients with NES and their participating family members was incorporated into an existing interdisciplinary group-based psychotherapy treatment program. The Family Assessment Device and a novel feedback questionnaire were used to understand the effect of MFG therapy on this population.

Patients with NES (N=29) and their corresponding family members (N=29) indicated on the feedback questionnaire their satisfaction with having MFG therapy as part of their treatment; satisfaction was also evidenced by a 79% (N=49 of 62) patient participation rate. Patients and family members reported enhanced understanding of the impact of illness on the family and believed MFG therapy would help them communicate about illness and reduce family conflict. Scores on the Family Assessment Device indicated that family members perceived better family functioning than did patients (average scores of 1.84 and 2.99, respectively).

The discrepancy in perceived family functioning supports the idea of integrating family members in treatment for patients experiencing NES. The group treatment modality was satisfactory to participants and may prove useful for other kinds of somatic symptom disorders, which are often external manifestations of internal distress. Family members can become treatment allies in psychotherapy when included in treatment.