Narrative analysis of written accounts about living with epileptic or psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Purpose

This study is based on a narrative analysis of individuals’ written accounts of living with epilepsy (n = 29) or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (n = 20, PNES). Narrative analysis looks at both the content and structure of the personal account. We used a form of narrative analysis that allowed us to identify common story lines, otherwise known as narrative typologies, potentially characteristic of these patient groups. Different narrative typologies were described and compared between writers with the two conditions.

Methods

As part of a therapeutic writing intervention for individuals living with a seizure disorder, participants were asked to write for at least 20 min about their very deepest thoughts and feelings about their condition.

Results

Five narrative typologies emerged:

1. ‘Losses from Illness’ – stories were dominated by events individuals could no longer do, authors appeared more disabled reporting greater frequency of seizures and lower health-related quality of life.

2.‘Feeling Lost’ – participants appeared to be in search of something and expressed uncertainty.

3.‘Tackling Adversity’ – individuals strove to not let their condition stop them from living their life.

4.‘Overcoming Challenges’ – stories reflected that the condition must be battled and fought with.

5.‘A Normal Life’ – individuals had demonstrated that they are managing to live with their condition.

Conclusions

While the ‘Tackling Adversity’ typology was preferentially used by writers with epilepsy, the ‘Feeling Lost’ typology was chosen more commonly by those with PNES. People with epilepsy narrate their disorder differently from those with PNES, suggesting that they have different life and illness experiences.