“What are your seizures telling you?”: A therapeutic tool for functional seizures

Background

Understanding illness representations is considered important for improving health outcomes, yet how people with functional seizures reflect on the possible psychological function of their seizures has not been studied.

Methods

A semi-structured interview comprising open and closed questions was administered to 99 participants with a documented diagnosis of functional seizures. One item, ‘What do you think your functional seizure symptoms are telling you?” sought to explore how individuals reflect on the possible function of their seizures. Qualitative analysis using NVivo comprised thematic content analysis of responses to the question, and pattern analysis, to determine association with diagnosis acceptance, and openness to a possible psychological aetiology.

Results

Most patients (88 %) readily interpreted their seizures in response to this question. We identified one major theme, with the majority of participants interpreting seizure symptoms as an enforced hiatus. Two minor themes were identified: personal growth and contempt. Subthemes were identified within both the enforced hiatus (stop, slow down, relax) and personal growth (self-care, self-development, acceptance) themes. Individuals who did not accept the diagnosis of functional seizures referenced seizures with contempt towards the self or answered, ‘don’t know’. Respondents who did not know also tended to reject a psychological basis for their seizures in contrast to those who discussed themes of enforced hiatus, personal growth, and contempt.

Conclusions

Responses provide valuable insight into how individuals reflect on their condition in a non-acute setting. Themes can serve as a foundation for future therapeutic discussions and patient-centred communication strategies to build a mutual understanding of the potential function of physical symptoms regardless of whether a psychological basis for them is accepted or not.

What is already known on this topic: Outcomes for functional seizures are generally poor and often attributed to patients rejecting psychiatric care or not accepting the diagnosis.

What this study adds: This study is the first to explore patient conceptualisations of the possible function of their functional seizures as a therapeutic tool for understanding the condition.

How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: Findings may provide a basis for improved clinician-patient relationships, treatment engagement, and more targeted interventions for people with functional seizures.