Emotional Expressivity in Adults with Psychogenic Non- Epileptic Seizures

Abstract

Background: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are also called Pseudoseizures, dissociative convulsions in the dissociative disorders (ICD 10), and somatic symptom and related disorders- conversion disorder (DSM-5). Patients with PNES faces problem in verbalizing the emotions when managing their anxiety, which produces in a somatic form. That’s why, it can be assumed that emotional expressivity plays an important role in it and requires special attention about it for management of PNES. Aim: The aim of the current study is to assess and compare the emotional expressivity of Adults with PNES and Control Group. Methodology: The study consisted of total 60 participants, 30 adults with PNES, 30 participants from the control group, with a cross sectional study design. The tools used for the study was: Berkeley Expressivity Questionaire (BEQ). Results: Comparison of the emotional expressivity was analyzed. A significant difference was found when the negative emotional expressivity of female with PNES was compared with female of Control group, and when male with PNES was compared with female with PNES. A significant difference was also analyzed for the overall emotional expressivity and positive emotional expressivity of adults with PNES and Adults of Control group were compared. Discussion: Patients with PNES have limited emotional expressivity and positive emotional expressivity. They experience more negative emotions. Hence, a significant intervention might be planned for these domains for a better management plan.