This open access book sets out the stress-system model for functional somatic symptoms in children and adolescents. The book begins by exploring the initial encounter between the paediatrician, child, and family, moves through the assessment process, including the formulation and the treatment contract, and then describes the various forms of treatment that are designed to settle the child’s dysregulated stress system. This approach both provides a new understanding of how such symptoms emerge – typically, through a history of recurrent or chronic stress, either physical or psychological – and points the way to effective assessment, management, and treatment that put the child (and family) back on the road to health and well-being.

In this treatment manual for functional seizures in children, adolescents, and young adults — ‘young people’ — we present the program developed by the mind-body team at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, a tertiary care paediatric hospital located in New South Wales, Australia. The team’s Mind-Body Program, organised as part of a consultation-liaison psychiatry service within the Department of Psychological Medicine, works with young people, up to the age of 18 years, who present with functional somatic symptoms, including functional seizures. This manual describes the treatment interventions we have developed over the last 20 years through clinical trial and error, by translating research findings into our clinical practice, and by evaluating our own treatment interventions through prospective cohort studies.

This volume describes the basics for short- and long-term treatment of Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) in children. The text acknowledges that the disorder, though rare and highly morbid, is treatable when it is not misdiagnosed. Given the limited diagnostic and clinical training offered to clinicians, this book aims to equip professionals with the tools needed to improve the poor quality of life of youth with PNES. The text begins by introducing the main features of the disorder and the problems involved in diagnosing PNES in children. It then describes techniques to overcome these problems in order to make a reliable and valid diagnosis of PNES, as well as provide feedback on the diagnosis and treatment plan. The last section describes the indications for cognitive behavior therapy for youth with PNES and suggested treatment paradigms. Incorporation of do’s and don’ts and their relevant clinical examples in all sections of the proposed guide provide the reader with skills and techniques. The book also includes an appendix with resources for parents, children, and school nurses and teachers, relaxation techniques for the child and parents, templates of letters for the child’s school about the condition and behavior management plan, templates of supporting letters from epileptologists and primary care physicians, CBT treatment paradigm, and information on individual supervision, workshops and webinars. Written by the few experts in this area, Pediatric Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures is the ultimate guide for psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, primary care physicians, neurologists, epileptologists, social workers, nurses, school counselors, and all medical professionals working with children experiencing seizures.

This book gives an exhaustive account of the classification and management of epileptic disorders. It provides clear didactic guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of epileptic syndromes and seizures through thirteen chapters, complemented by a pharmacopoeia and CD ROM of video-EEGs.

This book is a practical manual for clinical practitioners seeking to take an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of functional movement disorder (FMD). It discusses case vignettes, reviews the diagnostic approach, provides an update on available treatments, highlights clinical pearls and details references for further reading. Organized into three parts, the book begins with a framework for conceptualizing FMD - including its historical context, the biopsychosocial model and an integrated neurologic-psychiatric perspective towards overcoming mind-body dualism. Part II then provides a comprehensive overview of different FMD presentations including tremor, dystonia, gait disorders, and limb weakness, as well as common non-motor issues such as pain and cognitive symptoms. The book concludes with chapters on updated practices in delivering the diagnosis, working with patients and care partners to achieve shared understanding of a complex condition, as well as an overview of evidence-based and evolving treatments. Supplemented with high-quality patient videos, Functional Movement Disorder is written for practicing neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, allied mental health professionals, and rehabilitation experts with an interest in learning more about diagnosis and management of FMD.

Functional Neurologic Disorders, the latest volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, summarizes state-of-the-art research findings and clinical practice on this class of disorders at the interface between neurology and psychiatry. This 51-chapter volume offers an historical introduction, chapters on epidemiology and pathophysiolology, a large section on the clinical features of different type of functional neurologic symptoms and disorders (including functional movement disorders, non-epileptic seizures, dizziness, vision, hearing, speech and cognitive symptoms), and then concluding with approaches to therapy. This group of internationally acclaimed experts in neurology, psychiatry, and neuroscience represent a broad spectrum of areas of expertise, chosen for their ability to write clearly and concisely with an eye toward a clinical audience. This HCN volume sets a new landmark standard for a comprehensive, multi-authored work dealing with functional neurologic disorders (also described as psychogenic, dissociative or conversion disorders). - Offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach for the care of patients with functional disorders seen in neurologic practice, leading to more efficient prevention, management, and treatment - Provides a synthesis of research efforts incorporating clinical, brain imaging and neurophysiological studies - Fills an existing gap between traditional neurology and traditional psychiatry - Contents include coverage of history, epidemiology, clinical presentations, and therapy - Edited work with chapters authored by leaders in the field, the broadest, most expert coverage available

Patients with nonepileptic seizures (NES) frequently present in neurology, psychiatry, psychology, and emergency departments. The disorder has been well-documented in the medical literature, and much is known about the phenomenology, ictal semiology, neurologic signs, psychiatric comorbidities, neuropsychological testing, and psychosocial aspects. Since the publication of the third edition in 2010, knowledge of treatments for NES has grown and new data have become available. Fully updated to reflect these developments, this fourth edition brings together the current knowledge of NES treatments, drawing on the experience of an international team of authors. An accompanying website features video-EEGs of seizures and videos of patient-clinician interactions, which will help readers with both diagnostic and management decisions. Tables clearly illustrating the differential diagnosis of various nonepileptic events give readers quick reference guides to aid diagnostic assessment. A valuable resource for neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and any clinicians who encounter NES in their practice.