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TO THE EDITOR: The recent article by Drs. Shaibani and Sabbagh1 focuses on "nonorganic" neurologic symptoms. The article describes individuals with symptoms such as paresthesias/hypesthesias, pseudoseizures, dizziness/ vertigo, weakness, tremors, ataxia, bowel/bladder dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction and chronic pain syndromes. On the basis of normal findings on neurologic examination, laboratory testing, imaging and other standard testing, the symptoms ultimately are seen as pseudoneurologic or psychogenic in etiology The implication is that neurophysiologic dysfunction is not present in these individuals-that is, the problem is in their minds. It is interesting to note that the authors did not mention post-traumatic stress disorder when they discussed mental health concerns or psychiatric diagnoses in the individuals described in the article. We believe that the literature on post-traumatic stress disorder offers some relevant and useful information when considering the possibility of "pseudoneurologic syndromes."
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a complex psychobiologic syndrome that results from profound psychoemotional trauma. Manifestations include disturbances in the psychologic, emotional, psychosocial and physiologic functioning...