# Beyond the spike: Functional (dissociative) seizures as a key to holistic attitudes in seizure disorders

## TL;DR

This paper suggests that understanding functional seizures can improve care for all seizure patients by adopting a holistic approach.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the mechanistic overlap between epileptic and functional seizures, advocating for a unified biopsychosocial approach.

## Key findings

- Functional and epileptic seizures share mechanisms involving interoception, emotion, and stress dysregulation.
- Both seizure types have similar rates of psychiatric and neurological comorbidities.
- A holistic approach benefits all seizure patients and aligns with modern epilepsy care models.

## Abstract

Epileptologists can improve outcomes through follow‐up and coordination of care for patients with functional seizures. Epileptic and functional seizures share some mechanistic overlap involving interoceptive, emotional, and stress dysregulation, and disorders of agency and perception. Similar psychiatric and neurological comorbidities occur at comparable rates in both functional and epileptic seizure populations. A holistic, biopsychosocial approach benefits all seizure patients and reflects modern models of epilepsy care.