Non-epileptic Seizures
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is a non-epileptic seizure? Non-epileptic seizure (SE-zhur), or NES, is a short period of symptoms that change how you move, think, or feel. NES looks like an epileptic seizure (convulsion). With NES, there are no electrical changes in the brain. With epileptic seizures, abnormal changes in the brain are present during the attack. NES is more common in women and usually affects those between 15 to 35 years of age. NES is a serious condition and early diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent further problems.
What causes a non-epileptic seizure? There are two types of NES. Physiologic which is caused by conditions that affect blood, oxygen and sugar available to the brain, and psychogenic which is caused by the body's reaction to severe psychologic (mental) stress.
- Physiologic NES
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol too much and too often. Different people have different ideas about what too much means. How often you drink is as important as how much you drink alcohol. Alcohol is found in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, or other adult drinks.
- Drugs: Using illegal or street drugs.
- Syncopal attacks: Sudden drops in blood pressure leading to fainting spells.
- Hypoglycemia: Episodes of low blood sugar.
- Sleep disorders: Abnormal sleeping patterns.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol too much and too often. Different people have different ideas about what too much means. How often you drink is as important as how much you drink alcohol. Alcohol is found in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, or other adult drinks.
- Psychogenic NES
- Mental disorders: Depression (sadness that you cannot control), mood problems, or hallucinations.
- Trauma: Physical and emotional traumas that may include mild head injury and sexual or physical abuse.
- Mental disorders: Depression (sadness that you cannot control), mood problems, or hallucinations.
What are the signs and symptoms of a non-epileptic seizure? NES, similar to epilepsy, has twitching movements of arms or legs. The twitching movements in NES usually start when you are awake and last more than two minutes. You may also have one or more of the following during the attack:
- Crying, screaming, or weeping.
- Head, neck, and spine are bent backwards.
- Side to side head movements.
- Strong or powerful pushing of the hips.
- Thrashing or violent movements, such as striking at walls or breaking pieces of furniture.
- Tongue biting.
How is a non-epileptic seizure diagnosed? You may have one or more of the following tests:
- Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
- CT scan:
- This is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your brain. It may be used to look at bones, muscles, brain tissue, and blood vessels.
- You may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye is usually given in your IV. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
- This is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your brain. It may be used to look at bones, muscles, brain tissue, and blood vessels.
- EEG: This test is also called an electroencephalogram. Many small pads or metal discs are put on your head. Each has a wire that is hooked to a machine. This machine prints a paper tracing of brain wave activity from different parts of your brain. Caregivers look at the tracing to see how your brain is working. Video-elctroencephalography: A video-electroencephalogram records behavior and the EEG at the same time. Changes in behavior are related to changes in the EEG.
- MRI: This test is called magnetic resonance imaging. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your head. An MRI may be used to look at the brain, muscles, joints, bones, or blood vessels. You will need to lay still during a MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This can cause serious injury. Tell your caregiver if you have any metal implants in your body.
How is a non-epileptic seizure treated? Caregivers may first treat your health problems if you have any. He may also help you accept or deal with your disease. You may have any of the following:
- Medicines: These may include medicines to calm you or treat your depression if your daily activities are affected.
- Anti-anxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to help you feel less nervous and more relaxed.
- Anti-depressants: These medicines are given to decrease or stop the symptoms of depression. Other behavior problems may also be treated with anti-depressants.
- Anti-anxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to help you feel less nervous and more relaxed.
- Psychosocial therapy:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: With a therapist, you will learn to face the feared object or situation slowly and carefully. You will also learn to control the mental and physical reactions of fear.
- Psychotherapy: This is also called talk therapy. These talks are usually in a series of meetings. Your caregiver may include your family or people that are close to you during these talks.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: With a therapist, you will learn to face the feared object or situation slowly and carefully. You will also learn to control the mental and physical reactions of fear.
What can I do when a non-epileptic seizure occurs? The following may be done to prevent injuries during an attack:
- Do not hold or tie the person down.
- Do not place anything in the person's mouth or try to force the teeth apart. The person is not in danger of swallowing his tongue.
- Do not pour any liquid into the person's mouth or offer food or medicines until he is fully awake.
- If possible, turn the person on his side during the attack.
- Observe the length and type of movement of the seizure. Remember the position of the person's head or eyes during the attack.
- Place something soft under the person's head and loosen his clothing. Clear the area around him of sharp and hard objects.
- Stay with the person until the seizure ends. Let the person rest until he is fully awake.
Where can I get support and more information? Non-epileptic seizure may be a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have NES may be hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to contact the following for more information:
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
3615 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 1-202-966-7300
Web Address: http://www.aacap.org
- American Academy of Family Physicians
PO Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
Phone: 1-913-906-6000
Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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