Functional seizure guideline describes possible benefits from psychological care
The evidence suggests possible improvements in seizures and wellbeing, while the recommendations also emphasize diagnostic clarity, shared decisions and continuity of care.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The guideline's abstract describes psychological interventions as possibly helpful for reducing functional seizure frequency or achieving seizure freedom, reducing anxiety, and improving health-related quality of life and psychosocial functioning. It does not report the size of these possible benefits, compare specific psychological approaches or say how long improvements lasted in the included studies.
This summary is limited to the guideline's abstract. It does not provide treatment-specific effect sizes or follow-up durations, so the magnitude and durability of possible benefits cannot be assessed here.
How the guidance was developed
A multidisciplinary panel combined a systematic review with clinical experience to develop recommendations. This makes the document guidance informed by research and clinical judgment; the abstract summarizes the evidence and key care recommendations.
Care beyond symptom counts
The recommendations also emphasize a clear explanation of the diagnosis, shared treatment decisions and continuing care. They call for evaluating co-occurring epilepsy and psychiatric conditions, keeping those assessments connected to care for functional seizures.
The original publication
Management of Functional Seizures Practice Guideline Executive Summary: Report of the AAN Guidelines Subcommittee.
Tolchin B, Goldstein LH, Reuber M et al.
Neurology · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41370742
- Record checked
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