Self care in adults diagnosed with PNES
Adults living with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) tend to present with a disconnection between mind and body; the two are not aligned.
Adults living with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) tend to present with a disconnection between mind and body; the two are not aligned. Often the body has been chronically neglected, perhaps abused or exposed to life adversities.
Most likely, the body has been signaling for years, but those signals have gone ignored; a traumatic history and disconnection contribute to the development of PNES.
During a nonepileptic seizure, the body acts independently from the mind. This in itself, strongly suggests that we must work on aligning both. In other words, we must heal the mind but also the body.
• Recovery from PNES requires tailored psychotherapies that specifically focus on the nonepileptic seizures as a symptom. Psychotherapy works with top-down interventions (e.g., seizure log, problem solving, cognitive and emotional processing) and down-up interventions (e.g., deep breathing and body scans).
• Equally important, patients benefit from engaging in the intentional care of their bodies and expression of self-love. In this lesson, we will cover topics including healthy sleep habits, nutrition, hydration, physical exercise that is safe for someone who has PNES, the importance of engaging with nature, how to push back on isolation, and ways to keep mentally occupied with novel and challenging activities.
Audience: Adults living with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), caregivers, clinicians with an interest in augmenting self-care in their patients
Learning Points: Throughout this course, you will:
• Self-care is an important part of the recovery process from PNES and seizure disorders: Why it is so hard at first?
• How to work on improving sleep
• The importance of hydration and nutrition
• Keeping physically active while also being safe
• The benefits of being in nature
Legal Disclaimer
The information presented in these webinars is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional psychological treatment or medical advice. Nonepileptic seizures (NES) manifest differently in each individual, and the content provided herein offers general recommendations regarding safety and tools that can be used to enhance emotional and physiological regulation. It is crucial to understand that these recommendations are not tailored to any specific individual's unique circumstances. Always use common sense and consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized diagnosis and treatment. Nothing herein shall be construed to be the practicing of a profession or the providing of any professional treatment. In the event of a medical emergency, you should proceed to the closest hospital emergency room or call 911 for an ambulance.
By participating, you acknowledge and accept that we do not assume any liability for adverse reactions or consequences resulting from the use of the information presented in these webinars.
Dr. Lorna Myers is the director of the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) Program in New York and New Jersey, USA. She is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist and has been working with patients who have PNES and/or epilepsy for over 20 years. Her research has been published in a number of scientific journals, she has authored professional book chapters, and presents in meetings across the US and abroad. In 2013, she wrote “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A Guide,” a book for patients and their caregivers. Royalties from that book are donated to Epilepsy Alliance America, a foundation that awards scholarships to adults diagnosed with PNES to help with the costs of their studies. In 2023, together with her Dr. Julia Doss, she co-authored “The Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizure Pocketbook.”
Dr. Myers is a certified prolonged exposure therapist and clinical supervisor and has pioneered the modification and use of this treatment modality for patients diagnosed with PTSD and PNES. She is also certified in integrative hypnosis.
Other interesting facts about her is that she is fluent in English and Spanish, and her other main research interest is in multicultural topics including treatment of bilingual and bicultural (or monocultural Hispanic) patients and the study of neuropsychological measures for Spanish-speaking patients evaluated in the US.