Abstracts

High levels of conversion, mood and personality disorders have been reported in adults with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (NES). Such studies are lacking in children. Poor family functioning is a well known risk factor for a child[apos]s psychopathology. There are no published studies about family functioning in pediatric NES. The purpose of this pilot study is to characterize psychopathology and family functioning in youth with NES utilizing standardized psychiatric assessment instruments. Preliminary data was evaluated from an ongoing cross-sectional pilot study. Six children with NES (5 girls and 1 boy) aged 11 to 17 years (mean age of 14.5 [plusmn] 2.0 y) were evaluated. NES diagnosis was confirmed by a pediatric neurologist with a video EEG. Demographic information was collected to characterize the sample. The Child Symptom Inventory (CSI), the parent and youth self-report, was used to evaluate the child[apos]s emotional and behavioral problems. The Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) are self-report instruments to assess depression and anxiety. The Family assessment Device (FAD) is a self-report questionnaire to measure family functioning. Due to the preliminary nature of this study, only descriptive statistics have been calculated. The mean raw score for CDI was 17.3 (clinically significant if [gt]12), demonstrating that this sample as a whole is at clinical risk for depression. The mean t-score for the CDI was 61.5 (clinical significance if [ge] 65). The mean raw score for the MASC was 56 (at risk if 60-69) and the mean t-score was 58.8 (clinical significance if [ge] 65). The mean FAD score for general functioning was 2.2 (1 representing healthy and 4 representing unhealthy functioning).The FAD[apos]s Roles subscale approachead a mean score of 3. CSI-Youth report revealed that DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Specific Phobia were met in 60% (n=4) of the sample; for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessions, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder in 30% of the sample (n=2). CSI-Parent report revealed that DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Panic Attacks and PTSD were met in 66% (n=4) of the sample; Obsessions in 50% (n=3); and Major Depression, Dysthymic Disorder, Social Phobia in 30% (n=2) of the sample. These preliminary findings highlight that anxiety (generalized anxiety, panic attacks, phobia, PTSD) and depression are the most commonly reported psychiatric problems by youth with NES and their parents. The FAD, CDI and the MASC scores did not reach clinically significant levels, which may be due to a very small study sample. Additionally, it may imply that the youth with NES are less aware of their emotional problems and communicate their psychological needs through physical symptoms. (Supported by Children[apos]s Research Foundation, Children[apos]s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL.)