Pediatric Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures in the Emergency Department: Recognition and Interventions

Children with NES are typically very challenging patients. Coming to the correct diagnosis in the ED can be a tedious, time-consuming, and frustrating process, but nonetheless rewarding. Among many challenges, it requires personal empathy and nonjudgmental acceptance of patients' dramatic psychogenic presentations and recognition of their emotional distress. A timely diagnosis made in the ED may be a significant intervention in preventing patients from unnecessary medical treatments and in facilitating psychiatric treatment.