Importance of Video-EEG Monitoring in the Diagnosis of Epilepsy in a Psychiatric Patient

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Epilepsy is a chronic medical condition which is disabling to both patients and caregivers. The differential diagnosis of epilepsy includes psychogenic nonepileptic spells or “pseudoseizures. ” Epilepsy is due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, and pseudoseizure is a form of conversion disorder. The brain waves remain normal in pseudoseizures. The problem arises when a patient with significant psychiatric history presents with seizures. Pseudoseizures become high on the differential diagnosis without extensive work up. This is a case of woman with significant psychiatric issues which resulted in a delay in the diagnosis of epilepsy. 1. Case Report Ms. V is a 33-year-old married right-handed Caucasian woman with history of questionable spells characterized by loss of consciousness and whole body jerking since the age of 13. She had several EEGs in the past which were normal. She has a history of significant anxiety issues including depression and behavioral problems. She attributes most of her prob-lems to childhood abuse. There have been instances in the emergency room where there has been a delay in treatmen