What to Know If You’ve Recently Been Diagnosed with Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)

What to Know If You’ve Recently Been Diagnosed with PNES
If you’ve just been told that you have Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), you might be feeling overwhelmed, confused, or even dismissed. A PNES diagnosis can bring relief—finally, an explanation—but also a lot of questions.

This blog post will help you understand what PNES is, why it happens, and how trauma-informed therapy can help you move forward. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or searching for the right support, this guide is for you.
 
What Is PNES?
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) are seizure-like episodes that resemble epilepsy but are not caused by abnormal brain electrical activity. Instead, PNES is considered a functional neurological disorder—a real and physical response to psychological stress, trauma, or emotional overload.

PNES is not “in your head,” and it’s not something you’re making up. Your nervous system is reacting in a very real way to emotional pain, often outside of your awareness.
 
Why a PNES Diagnosis Can Be Difficult
Many people with PNES go years without a clear diagnosis. Some are misdiagnosed with epilepsy. Others are told they’re exaggerating or faking symptoms. Receiving a PNES diagnosis can be validating, but also confusing or even stigmatizing—especially if your medical providers don’t fully explain what it means.
It’s important to know:

• You are not faking.
• Your experiences are valid.
• Help and recovery are possible.

 
Is There Treatment for PNES?
Yes. While there is no medication that directly treats PNES seizures, psychotherapy—especially trauma therapy for PNES—has been shown to help reduce or eliminate episodes. Treatment focuses on helping you understand what your body is trying to express, and learning to feel safer in your own nervous system.
Effective options include:

• EMDR for PNES (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
  
• Hypnotherapy and guided imagery
• Somatic and mindfulness-based therapy
  
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

These treatments focus on healing the emotional roots of PNES symptoms—like trauma, dissociation, anxiety, and chronic stress.
 
What Causes PNES?
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are usually linked to a history of trauma, emotional neglect, or ongoing stress. Your brain and body may have learned to disconnect or shut down as a survival mechanism.
Common triggers or contributing factors include:

• Childhood trauma or abuse
  
• Chronic stress or anxiety
• Dissociation or feeling “out of body”
• Past medical trauma or invalidation
• Unprocessed grief or emotional pain

Your nervous system is not broken. It’s doing what it learned to do to keep you safe. With the right care, you can gently retrain it.
 
How to Find the Right Therapist for PNES
When seeking treatment for PNES, it’s important to work with a therapist who:

• Understands functional neurological disorders
  
• Uses trauma-informed and nervous system-based approaches
  
• Will never dismiss or minimize your symptoms
• Can help you connect emotional experiences with body symptoms

You may want to ask potential therapists:

• “Do you have experience with clients diagnosed with PNES?”
• “What approaches do you use for trauma and nervous system regulation?”
• “Do you offer EMDR or somatic therapy?”

 
PNES and the Mind-Body Connection
PNES episodes are real, physical expressions of emotional or psychological pain. They happen because your body is trying to say something it can’t say in words. This is the essence of the mind-body connection.
With support, many people learn to:

• Understand their triggers
• Reduce the frequency of episodes
• Heal trauma at the root
• Reclaim a sense of control

Recovery is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.
 
You’re Not Alone—Support Is Available
A PNES diagnosis can be the beginning of healing, not the end of the road. If you’re looking for compassionate, trauma-informed help, working with a therapist who understands PNES treatment options can make a meaningful difference.