Personality disorders in individuals with functional seizures: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Functional seizures (FS) are classified as conversion disorders (DSM-5) or dissociative disorders (ICD-11).
• FS exhibit multifactorial psychopathology with common comorbidities like depression and anxiety.
• A significant correlation exists between FS and personality disorders, especially Cluster B, with borderline personality disorder (BPD) being most prevalent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the relationship between functional seizures and personality disorders.
• To highlight the relevance of assessing personality disorders for tailored intervention in FS.
• To explore the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in managing FS.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature.
• Analysis of correlations between FS and various personality disorder clusters (B and C).
• Evaluation of current treatment approaches, including CBT and DBT.

Main Results:

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and its traits are highly prevalent in individuals with FS.
• Emotion dysregulation, a hallmark of BPD, is frequently observed in FS.
• Cluster C personality disorders (e.g., avoidant, obsessive-compulsive) are also reported in FS patients.

Conclusions:

• Assessing personality disorders is crucial for effective FS treatment planning.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) shows promise for FS patients with BPD due to its focus on emotion dysregulation.
• Future research should investigate the benefits of systematic personality disorder evaluation in FS for improving outcomes.