Comparison of patients with epilepsy with and without pseudoseizure in terms of resilience, trauma and alexithymic characteristics

Psychiatric comorbidities are commonly seen in epileptic patients. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (pseudo-seizures) mimicking epileptic seizures are discussed under the title of conversion disorder in psychiatry. Contrary to popular belief, the incidence of pseudoseizures in epileptic patients is higher. In our study, we compared epileptic patients with pseudoseizures to those without and to healty controls In our study, we compared epileptic patients with or without pseudoseizures among themselves and with the healthy control group in terms of psychological resilience, trauma and alexithymic characteristics. After neurological evaluations, 50 pure epilepsy, 20 epileptic patients with psychogenic seizures and 70 healthy participants were included in the study. Firstly, patiens were informed and then the written consent was obtained. Secondly, sociodemographic data of the participants was obtained. Participants were asked to complete the Traumatic Experiences Scale, the Childhood Trauma Scale, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Adult Resilience Scale, all of which were self-reported. Psychological resilience was found lowest in the epileptic patient group accompanied by pseudoseizures. Childhood trauma and alexithymic features were found highest in the epileptic patient group accompanied by psychogenic seizures. A statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the total score of the Traumatic Experiences Scale was not found. Keywords: epilepsy, psychogenic seizure, alexithymia, trauma, resilience