Recognition of pseudoseizures

Failure to recognize pseudoseizures is a common problem, affecting both epileptic patients who additionally have pseudoseizures and nonepileptic patients inappropriately called epileptic. Pseudoseizures most commonly mimic generalized tonic-clonic (GTC, "grand mal") seizures or complex-partial seizures. Several patients whose speudoseizures were not recognized are described. Adhering to logical principles of diagnosis for epilepsy, as for other medical problems, and remaining aware of basic beahvioral dynamics should eliminate the confusion between pseudoseizures and epileptic seizures.