Table 4: Prognostic factors implicated in favorable and unfavorable outcomes in patients with PNES
| FAVORABLE | UNFAVORABLE |
| Children Acceptance of nonepileptic nature of episodes Family structure that supports autonomy Female Having friends currently Having good relationships with friends as a child Higher ability to express emotions Higher intelligence & education Independent lifestyle Less dramatic PNES: - No positive motor features - No ictal incontinence or biting - No admissions to ICU - No pseudostatus with intubation Less extreme scores on traits defining emotional dysregulation Less tendency to dissociate Shorter duration of PNES Younger age at diagnosis |
Adults Co-existing epilepsy Disbelief of diagnosis Family structure that supports dependency and illness Long history of psychiatric disorders Longer duration of PNES Male Ongoing physical and/or sexual abuse Ongoing psychosocial stressors Pending litigation Persistently somatizing patient Reluctant self-disclosure Restricted expression of anger and positive feelings Unemployment/Disability |