Jerky or rhythmic movements Sensations such as tingling, dizziness, and feeling full in the stomach Repetitive motions Staring Confusion Changes in emotions Altered senses Causes Possible causes include: Syncope (fainting) Reflex anoxic seizures Breath-holding spells of childhood Cataplexy Hyperekplexia, also called startle syndrome Migraine Narcolepsy Non-epileptic myoclonus Opsoclonus Parasomnias, including night terrors Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia Repetitive or ritualistic behaviours Tics Hypoglycemia Diagnosis A wide array of phenomena may or may not resemble epileptic seizures, which may lead to people who do not have epilepsy being misdiagnosed. Indeed, a significant percentage of people initially diagnosed with epilepsy will later heal. In one study, the majority of children referred to a secondary clinic with "fits, faints and funny turns" did not have epilepsy, with syncope (fainting) as the most common alternative. In another study, 39% of children referred to a tertiary epilepsy centre did not have epilepsy, with staring episodes in mentally challenged children as the most common alternative. In adults, the figures are similar, with one study reporting a 26% rate of misdiagnosis. Differentiation of a non-epileptic attack from an epileptic seizure includes the patient keeping their eyes closed and rarely causing themselves harm (both more common in non-epileptic attacks) Prognosis After diagnosis 20 and 50% of people stop having PNES even without any specific treatment. Research showed that half of the people noticed an improvement after 3 months of psychological therapy. People with severe psychiatric symptoms face greater challenges. A person only has a brief history of PNES will stop after diagnosis. References External links What are Non-Epileptic Seizures? from Cleveland Clinic Seizure types