Who thinks functional neurological symptoms are feigned, and what can we do about it?

Kanaan, Richard A A; Ding, Juen Mei

doi:10.1136/jnnp-2016-315224

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…25 Nearly one-third of GPs agreed with, or were unsure about, the statement that patients only ever have functional seizures when stressed. This should be relatively straightforward to implement using simple measures such as basic information sheets, 31,32 and clear, consistent language when communicating and explaining the diagnosis to GPs. In reality <50% of patients report feeling stressed before functional seizures, and in many cases patients do not identify obvious triggers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…30 We therefore propose that educational attempts should be made to ensure that local GPs seeing these patients have a basic understanding of functional seizures, especially around the issue of feigning. This should be relatively straightforward to implement using simple measures such as basic information sheets, 31,32 and clear, consistent language when communicating and explaining the diagnosis to GPs. 33 The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has recently published a consensus document outlining expert recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with functional seizures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functional seizures: An evaluation of the attitudes of general practitioners local to a tertiary neuroscience service in London

et al. 2018

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Summary Objective Functional seizures are a common functional neurologic disorder. Given their chronic nature, and the biopsychosocial factors involved in their etiology, general practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in the care of these patients. However, little is known about the attitudes of GPs toward, and knowledge of, functional seizures. Methods The Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre in London provides a comprehensive service to patients with functional seizures. As part of a service evaluation we conducted an online survey among local GPs over a 1‐month period assessing their attitudes toward, and knowledge of, functional seizures. Results One hundred twenty of 974 surveyed GPs replied to the survey (12.3%). Approximately 75% of GPs readily use the term “pseudoseizures,” and over 50% were not sure or did not think that functional seizures were involuntary. Nearly 30% believed, or were unsure as to whether, functional seizures occur only when patients are stressed. Despite approximately 50% of GPs expressing interest in getting involved in the management of these patients, a similar proportion do not feel confident in dealing with queries from patients with functional seizures. Although most GPs felt that neurology and psychiatry should be the primary caregivers in the diagnosis and management, respectively, of functional seizures, 50% were also of the opinion that neurology should be involved in the management of these patients. Significance This survey highlights the attitudes of, and descriptive terms used by, GPs toward patients with functional seizures. Our findings suggest a need for better and clearer provision of information to GPs about this condition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%