People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspective

Background: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is a disabling disorder which has a negative effect on the quality of life of individuals with PNES. A clear understanding of the disorder is necessary, however, to date, research about PNES in South Africa is limited. Objectives: The aims of thi...

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Main Authors: Chrisma Pretorius, Gretha Cronje
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2015-07-01
Series:African Journal of Disability
Online Access:https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/176
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author Chrisma Pretorius
Gretha Cronje
author_facet Chrisma Pretorius
Gretha Cronje
author_sort Chrisma Pretorius
collection DOAJ
description Background: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is a disabling disorder which has a negative effect on the quality of life of individuals with PNES. A clear understanding of the disorder is necessary, however, to date, research about PNES in South Africa is limited. Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore the demographic variables of individuals with PNES in South Africa, to review the available body of research on PNES, and to compare it with our results. Method: Twenty-two people with PNES, with confirmed video EEG, were recruited by means of convenience sampling from two hospitals. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic variables of the participants. Results: Internationally comparable results revealed misdiagnoses and low treatment delivery amongst a primarily female population. Conclusion: This study provided greater insight into individuals with PNES in South Africa, highlighting the need for more information, support, effective treatment and accurate diagnosis of PNES.
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spelling doaj.art-327edbd3305846fcaccfec7a7dbb2b3d2022-12-22T01:11:11ZengAOSISAfrican Journal of Disability2223-91702226-72202015-07-0141e1e710.4102/ajod.v4i1.17662People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspectiveChrisma Pretorius0Gretha Cronje1Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch UniversityDepartment of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South AfricaBackground: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is a disabling disorder which has a negative effect on the quality of life of individuals with PNES. A clear understanding of the disorder is necessary, however, to date, research about PNES in South Africa is limited. Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore the demographic variables of individuals with PNES in South Africa, to review the available body of research on PNES, and to compare it with our results. Method: Twenty-two people with PNES, with confirmed video EEG, were recruited by means of convenience sampling from two hospitals. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic variables of the participants. Results: Internationally comparable results revealed misdiagnoses and low treatment delivery amongst a primarily female population. Conclusion: This study provided greater insight into individuals with PNES in South Africa, highlighting the need for more information, support, effective treatment and accurate diagnosis of PNES.https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/176
spellingShingle Chrisma Pretorius
Gretha Cronje
People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspective
African Journal of Disability
title People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspective
title_full People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspective
title_fullStr People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspective
title_full_unstemmed People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspective
title_short People with Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A South African perspective
title_sort people with psychogenic non epileptic seizures a south african perspective
url https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/176
work_keys_str_mv AT chrismapretorius peoplewithpsychogenicnonepilepticseizuresasouthafricanperspective
AT grethacronje peoplewithpsychogenicnonepilepticseizuresasouthafricanperspective