FROM STRESS TO SEIZURES: PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES OF PSYCHOGENIC NON-EPILEPTIC SEIZURES
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Keywords
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), Adolescents, Childhood trauma, Emotional dysregulation, Dissociation, Insecure attachment, Psychosocial factors, Trauma-informed care
Abstract
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) represent a complex neuropsychiatric condition that mimics epileptic seizures but arises from psychosocial and psychological mechanisms rather than abnormal neuronal activity. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to heightened neurodevelopmental sensitivity, emotional volatility, and increased exposure to stressors such as family conflict, peer rejection, and academic pressures. Empirical evidence demonstrates strong associations between PNES and childhood trauma, insecure attachment, emotional dysregulation, dissociative tendencies, and maladaptive coping. Despite advancements in diagnostic tools, PNES is often misdiagnosed as epilepsy, leading to unnecessary medical treatments, stigmatization, and delayed psychological care. Cultural dynamics, particularly in South Asian contexts, further complicate diagnosis as somatization and silence around trauma remain socially sanctioned. This review synthesizes findings from trauma theory, attachment theory, emotion regulation, dissociation frameworks, and the biopsychosocial model to highlight the psychosocial correlates of PNES. The article advocates for trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, interdisciplinary interventions to reduce stigma, improve diagnosis, and promote recovery. Recognizing PNES as an embodied expression of unresolved trauma rather than malingering is crucial for developing compassionate and effective clinical practices.
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Prashant Mani Tiwari
Research Scholar Buddha P G College, Kushinagar DDU Gorakhpur University, Uttar Pradesh,
Dr. Amritanshu Kumar Shukla
Professor Buddha P G College, Kushinagar DDU Gorakhpur University, Uttar Pradesh, India