Page 84 - JCBP-3-3

Journal of Clinical and

Basic Psychosomatics

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
The impact on life in people with dissociative

seizures or drug-resistant epilepsy

Camila Wolfzun 1,2,3 * , Mercedes Sarudiansky 1,2,3 , María Marta Areco Pico ,
1,3
1,3
Cristina Tenreyro , Alejandra Lanzillotti 1,2,3 , Luciana D’Alessio ,
3,4
and Guido Pablo Korman 1,2,3
1 Institute of Research, Faculty of Psychology, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de
Buenos Aires, Argentina
2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires,
Buenos Aires, Argentina
3 Ramos Mejía Hospital Epilepsy Center, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
4 Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires,
Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the impact on life in people with
dissociative seizures (DS) and drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). A qualitative approach
was employed using the McGill Illness Narrative Interview, which was conducted and
analyzed following thematic analysis principles. Ten women diagnosed with DS or DRE
participated, all from underserved sectors in Argentina. Three major themes emerged
*Corresponding author: from the interviews: (1) role of emotions (emotional experiences related to the disease,
Camila Wolfzun both preceding the seizure and as a consequence of them). Both groups reported
(cwolfzun@conicet.gov.ar) unpleasant emotions as a consequence of seizures, such as fear, shame, and sadness.
Citation: Wolfzun C, Emotional states, including stress and anxiety, were also described as seizure triggers in
Sarudiansky M, Pico MMA, et al. both conditions. (2) Impact on social interaction (the way in which the disease impacted
The impact on life in people with
dissociative seizures or drug- on social relationships). Participants with DS experienced interpersonal conflicts,
resistant epilepsy. J Clin Basic mistreatment, and disbelief more frequently than those with DRE, who reported a higher
Psychosom. 2025;3(3):78-89. perception of overprotection and hesitancy to disclose their condition. Both groups
doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8112
acknowledged the importance of social support from family and friends. (3) Impact on
Received: December 21, 2024 daily life activities (the way in which people discontinued activities due to the disease
Revised: February 20, 2025 or continued despite it). Seizures disrupted autonomy, work, and recreational activities,
though some participants continued working despite limitations. These findings
Accepted: March 13, 2025
provide insight into the challenges of living with DS and DRE. A deeper understanding
Published online: April 2, 2025 of these experiences can inform targeted interventions to improve the quality of life for
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). these patient populations, particularly in resource-limited settings.
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution Keywords: Dissociative seizures; Drug-resistant epilepsy; Impact on life; Psychogenic
License, permitting distribution, non-epileptic seizures; Quality of life
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with 1. Introduction
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional An epileptic seizure (ES) is defined as “a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms
1
affiliations. due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.” Epilepsy is

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 78 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8112