Hysterical seizures or pseudoseizures.

With proper diagnosis and management, the frequency of pseudoseizures can be reduced or eliminated. Emotional factors, whether internal or external, can precipitate pseudoseizures. The goals of therapy are to identify pseudoseizures and resolve the conflicts that manifest them; both psychiatric intervention and hypnosis have produced good results in the treatment of pseudoseizures. Nurses are involved in all aspects of care from observation of seizure activity to assessment and implementation of an appropriate plan of care. The care plan should include helping the patient and his family understand the meaning of the patient's pseudoseizures, recognizing the effect of stigma on the patient and his family, assessing the coping skills of the patient and his family, and setting realistic expectations for the patient regarding prognosis and treatment.