The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in functional / dissociative seizures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
SeizureJul 28, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPsychiatry
Danielle Nicholson, Chris Gaskell, Gregg Harry Rawlings et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults with functional/dissociative seizures (FDS). Analyzing data from 34 studies involving 31,711 individuals, the study found a pooled prevalence of 37.7% for PTSD among this population. The findings highlight the significant co-occurrence of PTSD and FDS, though not universal.
Key findings
- The pooled prevalence of PTSD in individuals with FDS was 37.7% (95% CI = 30.0 - 45.6%).
- Higher quality studies reported greater rates of PTSD comorbidity.
- Heterogeneity in prevalence was influenced by sample frame and PTSD identification methods.
Why it matters
Understanding the prevalence of PTSD in patients with FDS is crucial for clinicians, as it informs the need for comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions addressing both conditions.