Experts gather for first national conference focusing on the treatment of non-epileptic seizures

MORE than 100 healthcare professionals from across the country gathered for the first ever national conference focusing on the treatment of non-epileptic seizures – a disabling condition often mistaken for epilepsy.

The event, held at the Hilton Hotel in Sheffield in October, was organised by a team of neurologists and psychotherapists from the Department of Neurology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence for research and treatment of this disorder.

World-class experts from the team gather for the conference (L-R: Stephanie Howlett, Edel Dewhurst, Aimee Morgan-Boone, Andrew Enever, Rebecca Mayor, Professor Markus Reuber and Dr Richard Grünewald)

While epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity within the brain, non-epileptic seizures are linked to difficulties with processing painful emotions, thoughts and memories. Many people diagnosed with non-epileptic seizures have had to deal with traumatic experiences such as childhood neglect, abuse or operations, or shocking events in adult life such as accidents, assaults and war trauma, although this is not always the case. Current stress in people’s lives, such as caring responsibilities can also be a factor. However, patients often find it difficult to see a link between their seizures and their life experiences and may not show signs of emotional disturbance.

The conference attracted a wide range of professional groups including neurologists, GPs, nurses, physiologists, psychologists and psychotherapists interested in improving services for this hard-to-treat disorder.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s neurology department treats over 100 patients suffering with non-epileptic seizures every year. Recent research undertaken by the department showed that with appropriate intervention, a quarter of patients suffering from non-epileptic seizures became seizure-free. In a further 40% of patients the number of seizures can be reduced by more than one half. The use of healthcare services can also be reduced significantly, with fewer sufferers visiting A&E as a result.

Stephanie Howlett, a specialist psychotherapist in the Sheffield team, said: “Non-epileptic attacks can be extremely frightening, with some patients experiencing up to 30 seizures a day. They can last from a few seconds up to 40 minutes or more, and may strike without warning. This can have a devastating impact on sufferers’ lives, with many feeling  too scared to go out alone, use public transport or even have a bath alone so that they become very dependent on family and friends to cope with daily life.

“Our team of neurologists and psychotherapists work together to diagnose and treat the disease often in conjunction with other colleagues in the department, such as the epilepsy specialist nurses and neuro-psychologists. Once diagnosed we teach patients a range of calming, breathing and physical techniques to help them ward off seizures and deal with anxiety. We also do a full assessment to help the patient understand the underlying issues in their lives that has caused the seizures and tailor the psychotherapy around that. Throughout the treatment we work very much as a multi-disciplinary team.

“In the past misdiagnosis was common, and once diagnosed patients were often discharged without treatment because non-epileptic seizures were not seen as a neurological disorder, but the condition was not understood by most mental health professionals. I’m delighted that so many colleagues from around the country attended our conference, and are keen to set up local treatment services in their areas.”

The Department of Neurology in Sheffield now has the facilities to monitor patients closely by recording electrical brain activity, heart activity and video at the same time. This enables the team to make the diagnosis with some certainty. Recent research carried out by Professor Markus Reuber’s team has also helped doctors to better interpret the seizure experiences reported by patients.

Key speakers at the event included Dr Richard Grünewald, clinical director of neurosciences, Markus Reuber, Professor of Clinical Neurology, and Stephanie Howlett, specialist psychotherapy manager at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Source: http://www.sth.nhs.uk/