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Psychogenic seizures are seizures that do not have a physical cause. They can be caused by stress, injury, emotional trauma, or mental illness.
Psychogenic seizures are a type of non-epileptic seizure. This means they are not caused by epilepsy. But people with epilepsy may have psychogenic seizures. Psychogenic seizures are sometimes called pseudoseizures.
It is important to distinguish psychogenic seizures from epilepsy, because the risks may outweigh any benefit of treating psychogenic seizures with antiepileptic medicines.
Current as of: August 25, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:John Pope MD - Pediatrics & Brian D. O'Brien MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Steven C. Schachter MD - Neurology
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