Author response: Adherence with psychotherapy and treatment outcomes for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Abstract

We appreciate Dr. Sethi's important reminder that it is the responsibility of neurologists to diagnose both psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and epilepsy and—in cases of PNES—to rule out or rule in comorbid epilepsy. Making as definite a diagnosis is possible and communicating the diagnosis clearly to the patient and to the treating behavioral specialists is essential to the treatment of PNES. An ambiguous diagnosis can undermine the confidence of the patient and behavioral health specialists in the psychotherapeutic process, leading to nonadherence.