Associations between violent/sexual childhood trauma and maladaptive coping in patients with functional seizures

Abstract

Objective

Functional seizures (FS) are a highly debilitating symptom of functional neurological disorder (FND). FS require a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment because the patient's initial presentation may be to neurology, emergency medicine, or primary care, and the treatment consists of psychotherapy. People with FS commonly experience severe childhood trauma, particularly sexual trauma. The present study examined associations between reported trauma and maladaptive coping mechanisms in the FS population.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study reports on 137 patients enrolled in the FS Clinic at the University of Colorado between March 2020 - March 2021. Linear regression was used to examine associations between self-reported childhood sexual and violent trauma and maladaptive coping mechanisms of self-blame and disengagement based on the Brief COPE. A quantile regression was generated for each of these outcomes.

Results

Results indicated that violent trauma and sexual trauma were reported by 47.5% and 61.6% of the sample, respectively. Of those exposed to violent trauma, 27.2% perceived it as extremely severe while 43.4% of those exposed to sexual trauma perceived it as extremely severe. Quantile regression for self-blame and disengagement showed significance for the 25th percentile of those who experienced violent trauma. Self-blame was significantly associated with the 50th and 75th percentile of those exposed to sexual trauma.

Conclusions

These findings supports the value of identifying trauma experienced by individuals with FS as it is associated with specific coping mechanisms that may affect treatment. Identifying prior trauma and current coping responses may assist in individualizing care for people with FS.