Psychiatry

Answer 5 Unknown. Whereas NES have been documented in the medical literature for over a century, no randomized controlled trial of treatment for NES has been conducted. Anecdotal reports reveal that antiepileptic drugs may actually worsen NES, yielding the recommendation to taper administration of antiepileptic drugs in patients with NES and no evidence of epilepsy. Patients with NES have a high prevalence rate of comorbid psychiatric illness (eg, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, cluster B personality disorders). As many as 60% of patients with NES also have a history of childhood or current trauma or abuse. Numerous case reports of psychotropic medications and uncontrolled psychotherapy trials have yielded consensus statements that a combination of medications and psychotherapy may be the best approach to treating patients with NES. Click here to return to the questions

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