An exploration of epileptic and nonepileptic seizures : an interpretative phenomenological analytic study

Background Differentiating epileptic seizures from non epileptic seizures (NES) has always been difficult. Seizures can look very similar, substantial physical injury and incontinence can occur in both conditions and people can have both conditions simultaneously. Treatment for each condition is very different however, epilepsy needing anti epileptic medication whereas NES is a psychologically rooted condition.AimsTo develop previous workTo document a number of detailed seizures descriptions and to analyse theseusing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)To identify linguistic markers to differentiate NES from epilepsyMethodologyThis project used IPA as a more expansive method of 'history taking' being completely patient led. The approach and its theoretical antecedents have been described in depth in the thesis. Four newly referred patients with uncertain diagnoses were interviewed once, three twice. There was additional, contextual data.ResultsThe interpretation illustrated that subjective seizure experiences using IPA can contribute to previous work: It heralded the potential beginnings of the development of an alternative 'seizure discourse' for lay and professionals. It had the potential to contribute to patient information material and a screening tool.It offered new ideas for clinical practice and research.DiscussionAs an approach, IPA has the potential to combine its findings with those in the field of neurophenomenology in terms of expanding knowledge of corresponding subjective experiences.ConclusionsGiven that subjective experiences of people can help locate seizure foci, IPA has the potential for establishing itself as a qualitative scientific research approach in the area of seizure experiences.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Hull

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Featherstone, Valerie Anne

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Campion, Peter
• Sandfield, Anna

• Medicine

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:hull-repository.worktribe.com:4212911

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:hull-repository.worktribe.com:4212911