Evaluation of dissociative experiences and the clinical utility of the Dissociative Experience Scale in patients with coexisting epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between dissociation and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and evaluated the clinical utility of the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) in patients with epilepsy. The DES was administered to 30 patients with epilepsy and PNES, 50 patients with epilepsy and no PNES, and 85 nonclinical individuals. Patients with epilepsy and PNES scored significantly higher on the DES (29.3) than patients with epilepsy without PNES (13.5) and nonclinical individuals (11.1). High DES scores (>30) were more frequently observed in patients with epilepsy and PNES (53%) than in patients with epilepsy without PNES (12%) and nonclinical individuals (6%). DES score did not differ significantly with respect to epilepsy-related variables. Neither the frequency nor severity of PNES was significantly associated with the DES score. Our findings confirm some associations between PNES and dissociation in patients with coexisting epilepsy and PNES. The DES could be helpful in determining the tendency to have PNES in patients with epilepsy.