AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) - PNES, or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, looks like one thing, but in some cases is actually something else.

For years, Hope Watson didn't fully understand what was wrong with her. Visiting doctor after doctor and receiving diagnosis after diagnosis, trying to pinpoint exactly what was wrong. 

“It really took a lot from me," Hope said. 

Doctors initially told Hope and her parents it could be depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety or ADHD.

“It all started when she was 7, what we now know is she had epilepsy, but that was misdiagnosed until she was 18,” said Pam Watson, Hope's mom. 

For a little while, she says doctors thought they had things under control. 

“In 2021 everything changed, she started going from very intermittent seizures to 6, 8 or 10 a day,” Pam recalled. 

She says at this time, Hope was put on several medications for epilepsy, and nothing was changing. As a result of the health issues, Hope even lost the ability to work, drive and live a normal life. 

“I mean it was hard,” Hope said. 

Eventually, she and her family were referred to a clinic at Augusta University. After some consultations and tests, doctors thought it might be something called PNES, or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.

Dr. Matthew Kridel is a psychologist and assistant professor at Augusta University. 

“It is a type of illness that we would consider more mental than physical, wherein a person has symptoms that appear to be seizures,” he explained. 

Dr. Kridel was one of the providers that helped determine Hope’s diagnosis after her referral. Part of the treatment plan included a multiday EEG and monitoring at AU's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. It is one of two monitoring centers in the state of Georgia.

Dr. Danielle Weiss worked with Dr. Kridel on the treatment.

“What we were doing is we were trying to record one of her typical events, off medicines, to make sure that she had seizures,” she said. 

After reviewing the monitoring videos, her care team was able to confirm hope had both PNES and epileptic seizures, a diagnosis that is difficult for many physicians to make.

While it can be difficult to diagnose, doctors say PNES can be treated through behavioral therapy.

“It takes about 12 sessions, we usually meet with patients every other week but that can depend. So over the course of several months, we’re working on a variety of topics to help understand and ultimately learn to cope with functional seizures,” Dr. Kridel explained. 

Thanks to the help from both physicians Hope now has ways to cope with her issues. 

“Basically he said that you know, I can’t help it, but it is under my control. I can take control over it even if I can’t help it,” Hope said. 

As a result of the treatment, Hope is back to living her normal life. She says she is driving again and also has a job taking care of others. 

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