Do patients with nonepileptic seizures have a typical psychologic profile?
Patients with NESs have no characteristic psychologic profile. Perhaps the most consistent results have resulted from the application of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). In particular, Dodrill has reported that MMPI profiles differ between patients with epilepsy and those with NESs (Dodrill 1993). The typical findings in many NES patients are relatively high scores on the hysteria and hypochondriasis scales, with a lower score on the depression scale. These characteristics differentiated NESs from epilepsy in about 80% of cases. Thus, the MMPI offers useful information but cannot be said to have sufficient power for diagnostic certainty. The results of psychologic testing, therefore, must be taken in concert with the results of other testing and considered supportive or nonsupportive of the diagnosis of NES. Adapted from: Rowan AJ. Diagnosis and management of nonepileptic seizures. In: Schachter SC, Schomer DL, eds. The comprehensive evaluation and treatment of e
