The aim of this study was to assess prognosis among adult patients with non
epileptic seizures (NES) and to determine predictor variables for resolutio
n of NES after diagnosis. Six to 9 months after receiving a video-EEG-docum
ented diagnosis of NES, 43 adults responded by telephone interview to a det
ailed, structured questionnaire probing history of the episodes, psychiatri
c factors, socioeconomic variables, relationships, reactions to receiving t
he diagnosis, and potential history of litigation. At follow-up, only 18.6%
were episode-free, 55.8% had improved, 16.3% reported no change, and 9.3%
reported greater frequency of episodes. Patients who reported having many f
riends currently or having good relationships with friends as a child were
significantly more likely to be episode-free. Subjects with pending litigat
ion were significantly less likely to experience a reduction in episodes.