COURSE · PART 2 · MODULE 6

Module 6 — Functional Seizures and Other Episodes

Functional seizures are real, involuntary episodes. This module separates diagnosis, immediate safety, treatment and daily-life planning so you can read only the piece you need.

What this module teaches

  • Diagnosis should use positive evidence about the person’s typical event. [1]
  • Functional seizures and epilepsy can coexist. [1]
  • A shared plan can protect safety without restraint or unnecessary treatment.
  • Treatment evidence is mixed, and meaningful progress can include more than seizure count. [2]

Pages

Inside each page: Person with FND · Supporters · Clinicians · Research

Every page in this module uses these same four main sections.

Research and Sources

Citation Figure Full citation
[1] — Tolchin B, Goldstein LH, Reuber M, Stone J, Perez DL, LaFrance WC Jr, et al. Management of Functional Seizures Practice Guideline Executive Summary: Report of the AAN Guidelines Subcommittee. Neurology. 2026;106(1):e214466. FND-CIT-0010. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214466
[2] — Goldstein LH, Robinson EJ, Mellers JDC, et al.; CODES study group. Cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with dissociative seizures (CODES): a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2020;7(6):491–505. FND-CIT-0033. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30128-0