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PNES Specialist in Ahmedabad

Episodes that continue despite epilepsy treatment may need reassessment. We provide epilepsy-focused review and, when appropriate, Video EEG within a multidisciplinary care pathway.

Book Appointment: +91 87809 66624
Reviewed by Dr. Abhishek Gohel & Dr. Rutul Shah

What is PNES?

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) are episodes that look like epileptic seizures but are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They are a real, recognized medical condition — not "faking" or "acting."

Real Medical Condition

PNES is classified in ICD-11 and DSM-5 as a functional neurological disorder. The episodes are involuntary and beyond the patient's conscious control.

More Common Than You Think

PNES accounts for 20-30% of patients referred to epilepsy centres for uncontrolled seizures. Average delay to correct diagnosis: 7-10 years.

Treatable

With correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment (CBT, psychological support, medication adjustment), many PNES patients see significant improvement.

PNES is NOT "Faking"

Patients with PNES are not faking their symptoms. The episodes are involuntary and genuinely distressing. PNES is a recognised neurological condition that requires proper medical care, not dismissal or stigma.

Watch: Understanding PNES

This video introduces PNES as a real medical condition and explains why history, examination and Video EEG correlation may be part of the assessment.

This video is for general education and does not replace an individual medical assessment.

Common Symptoms of PNES

PNES episodes can look similar to epileptic seizures. Clinical assessment and appropriate testing, which may include Video EEG, help determine the diagnosis.

🫨 Shaking & Convulsions

Rhythmic or irregular body movements — can look identical to tonic-clonic seizures but with different patterns.

😶 Unresponsiveness

Staring spells, altered awareness, or apparent loss of consciousness during episodes.

👐 Unusual Movements

Side-to-side head movements, pelvic thrusting, eye closure during episode — features that may suggest PNES over epilepsy.

😰 Emotional Triggers

Episodes triggered by stress, conflict, crowded settings, or emotionally charged situations.

⏱️ Variable Duration

PNES episodes often last longer than typical epileptic seizures — sometimes 10-30 minutes or more.

Medication Resistance

Seizures that do not respond to anti-seizure medications despite adequate doses — a key red flag for PNES.

PNES vs Epileptic Seizures: Key Differences

PNES can look similar to epilepsy. Clinical features can guide assessment, but the diagnosis should not be made from appearance alone.

EEG During Episode

Epilepsy: A recorded seizure may show an epileptic EEG correlate.
PNES: No epileptic EEG correlate may be seen during a typical recorded event; specialist interpretation is required.

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Episode Duration

Duration varies in both conditions. A longer event may raise PNES as one possibility, but duration alone cannot establish the diagnosis.

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Eye Behaviour

Eye position may contribute to the clinical description, but it varies and must not be used alone to diagnose PNES or epilepsy.

Medication Response

Response to anti-seizure medication does not by itself confirm epilepsy or PNES. The diagnosis should be reassessed when events continue.

Read our detailed PNES vs Epilepsy guide →

How Video EEG May Help Assess PNES

Video EEG records a clinical event and brain activity together. When a typical event is captured, the recording can support diagnosis alongside the history and specialist assessment.

1

Admission

The monitoring plan may range from several hours to several days and is selected for the clinical question and event frequency.

2

Continuous Monitoring

24/7 video recording with simultaneous EEG. Electrodes placed on the scalp record brain activity continuously.

3

Episode Capture

The goal is to capture a typical episode on camera. Staff are trained to observe and document events in real-time.

4

Analysis & Diagnosis

A specialist reviews the recorded event and EEG together with the history and examination. A typical event without an epileptic EEG correlate may support PNES, but some epileptic seizures may also lack a clear scalp EEG change.

Video EEG at KD Hospital

When Video EEG is appropriate, the clinical team explains the monitoring setting, safety procedures and expected duration before admission.

Why PNES is Commonly Misdiagnosed

The average PNES patient waits 7-10 years for a correct diagnosis. During this time, they often take unnecessary anti-seizure medications with side effects but no benefit.

🎭

Looks Like Epilepsy

PNES episodes can appear identical to epileptic seizures — even experienced doctors can't distinguish them without Video EEG.

Limited Video EEG Access

Access to Video EEG varies. A specialist can decide whether recording a typical event would add useful information to the clinical assessment.

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Stigma

PNES is often misunderstood as "faking" or "psychiatric" — focused to dismissal rather than proper evaluation.

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Co-existing Epilepsy

10-30% of PNES patients also have epilepsy. The epilepsy diagnosis can mask PNES for years.

Your PNES Specialists

Both neurologists completed fellowship training in epilepsy at Amrita Institute, Kochi — with hands-on experience in Video EEG monitoring and PNES diagnosis.

Dr. Abhishek Gohel - PNES Specialist Ahmedabad

Dr. Abhishek Gohel

NEUROLOGIST · EPILEPTOLOGIST
MBBS
MD Medicine
DM Neurology — NIMHANS
PDF Epilepsy — Amrita Institute, Kochi

PNES diagnosis, Video EEG monitoring, drug-resistant epilepsy, seizure semiology, autoimmune encephalitis

Full Profile →
Dr. Rutul Shah - PNES Specialist Ahmedabad

Dr. Rutul Shah

NEUROLOGIST · EPILEPTOLOGIST · AIR 1
MBBS
DNB Medicine, MNAMS
DM Neurology — NIMHANS (AIR 1)
PDF Epilepsy — Amrita Institute, Kochi

PNES evaluation, Video EEG analysis, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, neuropathies, myasthenia gravis

Full Profile →

PNES Treatment: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Treating PNES requires a combination of neurological management, psychological therapy, and patient education. There is no single pill — but with the right approach, outcomes are good.

Neurological Management

Tapering unnecessary anti-seizure medications (if PNES-only), managing co-existing epilepsy if present, and addressing other neurological symptoms.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

The most evidence-based psychological treatment for PNES. Helps patients understand triggers and develop coping strategies.

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Patient & Family Education

Explaining the diagnosis compassionately, reducing stigma, helping families understand PNES is real and treatable.

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Trauma & Stress Therapy

When PNES is linked to trauma, PTSD, or chronic stress — targeted psychological intervention addresses root causes.

Seizures Not Responding to Medication?

Don't suffer in silence. A correct diagnosis changes everything. Our Video EEG monitoring can confirm whether your seizures are epileptic or PNES — and guide the right treatment.

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Red Flags That May Suggest PNES

If you recognise several of these patterns, a Video EEG evaluation may help clarify your diagnosis.

Multiple Medications Failing

Tried 2-3+ anti-seizure medications at adequate doses without improvement.

😰 Stress-Related Episodes

Seizures triggered by emotional stress, arguments, or crowded environments.

⏱️ Prolonged Episodes

Episodes lasting much longer than typical epileptic seizures (10-30+ minutes).

👁️ Eyes Closed

Eyes firmly shut during convulsive episodes (epileptic seizures usually have eyes open).

📈 Increasing Frequency

Episode frequency increasing despite medication, especially after dose increases.

🧪 Normal EEG

Routine EEG repeatedly normal despite frequent "seizures."

Why Patients Choose Us for PNES Evaluation

In-House Video EEG

Long-term Video EEG monitoring at KD Hospital with 24/7 recording and trained technicians.

Fellowship-Trained

Both neurologists completed epilepsy fellowships at Amrita Institute — with hands-on PNES and Video EEG training.

Compassionate Approach

We explain the PNES diagnosis with empathy — no dismissal, no stigma. Patients leave understanding their condition.

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Multidisciplinary Network

Coordination with psychologists and psychiatrists for comprehensive PNES management beyond the neurological diagnosis.

What to Expect During Your Visit

1

Initial Consultation

Detailed history of your episodes — pattern, triggers, duration, medications tried. Neurological examination.

2

Video EEG Planning

If PNES is suspected, the clinician decides whether Video EEG would add useful information and discusses the proposed monitoring plan.

3

Diagnosis Discussion

Once confirmed, we explain the diagnosis thoroughly — what PNES means, why it happened, and what to do next.

4

Treatment Plan

Medication review, psychological referral, coping strategies, and follow-up schedule for ongoing management.

Visit Us

Gujarat Epilepsy & Neuro Clinic

1st Floor, 112-114, Elite Magnum
Near Solaris, Bhuyangdev Cross, Sola Road
Ahmedabad - 380061

A comfortable outpatient clinic with modern diagnostic setup. Video EEG monitoring is conducted at KD Hospital.

Open in Google Maps →

Clinic Hours

Monday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

For emergencies, contact KD Hospital: +91 79 6677 0001

Get in Touch

Phone: +91 87809 66624

WhatsApp: Message Us

📧 Email: epilepsyassociates@gmail.com

Book Online →

Frequently Asked Questions About PNES

PNES are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but are not caused by abnormal brain electrical activity. They are a type of functional neurological disorder — a real medical condition recognised in ICD-11 and DSM-5. The episodes are involuntary and beyond the patient's control.

PNES is often linked to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, trauma, or suppressed emotions. It requires different treatment from epilepsy.

Capturing a typical event on Video EEG is the reference standard for a documented PNES diagnosis. The clinician compares the recorded behaviour with the EEG, history and examination. Lack of an epileptic EEG correlate supports PNES only when the event is typical and its features are consistent; some epileptic seizures may not show a clear scalp EEG change.

Yes. PNES and epilepsy can occur in the same person. This makes a careful description and, when appropriate, recording of typical events important because each event type may need a different management plan.

PNES is absolutely real. Patients are NOT faking. The episodes are involuntary — they cannot be started or stopped at will. PNES is a recognised neurological condition where the brain's normal functioning is disrupted, often due to psychological stress or past trauma.

Dismissing PNES as "faking" causes enormous harm. These patients deserve compassionate medical care.

PNES treatment is multidisciplinary:

  • Neurological: Tapering unnecessary anti-seizure medications, managing co-existing conditions
  • Psychological: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — the most evidence-based approach
  • Education: Helping patients and families understand the diagnosis
  • Stress management: Addressing triggers, lifestyle modifications
  • Trauma therapy: When linked to past trauma or PTSD

Video EEG monitoring may last from several hours to several days. The planned duration depends on the clinical question, how often events occur, whether a typical event is recorded and the hospital protocol. The treating team will discuss the expected duration before admission; further monitoring may sometimes be needed.

If anti-seizure medications aren't controlling your episodes despite adequate doses, there are several possibilities:

  • PNES — episodes that look like seizures but aren't epileptic
  • Drug-resistant epilepsy — epilepsy that doesn't respond to medications (affects ~30% of epilepsy patients)
  • Wrong medication — incorrect seizure type classification
  • Both PNES + epilepsy — medications control epileptic seizures but not PNES events

Video EEG monitoring can clarify the diagnosis and guide treatment.