How To Deal With Non Epileptic Seizures Caused By Anxiety?

[wazowski]

Hello everyone! I'm new here. *waves*

I've been having involuntary movement(jerking) of my limbs (its so bad that the arm ones hurt my back sometimes) and I have hit people and my dog because of these movements by accident. I've also been having vocal tics (I didn't think about this until recently but I have a problem where I repeatedly blink my eyes also but this has been going on for years, I remember being picked on it all the time in middle school, not sure if this could be a tic also, but I'm 17 so I'm not sure does age have anything to do with this). So I went to a neurologist and got an EEG and a MRI and both were normal. When I returned for a followup, the neurologist immediately asks what am I stressed about. I do have a history of anxiety and was at the time (and still am) seeing a psychologist for anxiety related chest pain that I used to experience multiple times a day that doesn't occur as often since I've been going. So I thought therapy was helping me with my anxiety to some degree. But then this started happening later. And the fact that my neurologist thinks that anxiety is the cause of this is making me feel hopeless because I thought I was getting better. He tells me to stop worrying then dismisses me. This is so frustrating because I don't feel as if anyone is trying to help me. I didn't even receive any help on how to make myself less stressed since this is supposedly the cause. I still question if stress could be the cause because I feel like doctors blow things off for stress when they can't find a reason for something. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do to stop the seizures if this was the problem?

Thanks.

 

[Cherriuz]

I'm sorry I haven't experienced this personally but I would like to just offer some advice anyways
When you say you have having therapy...what kind of therapy is it? I know cbt Is pretty good for stress and anxiety...it's basically a behavioural therapy...changes your thought patterns and gives you calming techniques. I've never been on it personally but I'm hearing a lot of good things about it

I think the only other thing I could suggest is try and change docs to one who's more understanding. I had anxiety many many years a go and it took me a fair few docs to find someone who understood and was actually willing to help sort things through

I do agree with you that doctors do tend to pin it on something emotion related when they can't think of another way out of it...perhaps they should consider giving you help to see if it does Infact help. I tend to find doctors take more notice when you go in knowing what you want and need from them if that makes sense

Sorry I couldn't offer more insight, I hope this helps even if only a little


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[pccoder]

I, too, have both Anxiety and Epilepsy. I occasionally take Ativan, prescribed by my Shrink. I'd recommend that, as it really makes a big difference and kicks in fairly quick. The key though is ensuring that you've got your Epilepsy in check first. Although Ativan can be used to treat Epilepsy, I wouldn't recommend that it be used as a first line of defense against it.

 

[wazowski]

I'm sorry I haven't experienced this personally but I would like to just offer some advice anyways
When you say you have having therapy...what kind of therapy is it? I know cbt Is pretty good for stress and anxiety...it's basically a behavioural therapy...changes your thought patterns and gives you calming techniques. I've never been on it personally but I'm hearing a lot of good things about it.

Yes, I am currently in CBT. I feel as from what I've learned so far that it will help short term but in the long run that it will not be helpful to me. My therapist thinks I have "extreme anxiety" and that I should take anxiety medication before learning the "techniques". And medication is the last thing I want to do because I would rather get to the root of my problem and solve it for good because meds only help while you're on them and will not help on the long run. But I am tired of living with these health problems and if its just anxiety then I would assume the involuntary movements will stop.

 

[wazowski]

I, too, have both Anxiety and Epilepsy. I occasionally take Ativan, prescribed by my Shrink. I'd recommend that, as it really makes a big difference and kicks in fairly quick. The key though is ensuring that you've got your Epilepsy in check first. Although Ativan can be used to treat Epilepsy, I wouldn't recommend that it be used as a first line of defense against it.

Yeah my therapist wanted me to go to a psychiatrist to get anxiety medication prescribed, which I didn't really want to do. But then if the involuntary movement is caused by anxiety then I assume the movements will stop within a few weeks of starting the meds. (well at least I hope)

 

[Crash]

Hi wazowski,sorry to hear about your troubles but i can sure relate to them.My main seizure trigger is without doubt stress.Usually if i have a seizure i can look back and pin point the area i was stressing over.My doc is very sympathetic and i have a prescription off diazepam,10mg split in to 5mg morning and 5mg at night.

I know people worry about the addictive nature off these drugs.But it's something i am prepared to live with at the moment as it works and works well.I know i can taper down should the need arise.
Best off luck to you and i hope things work out for you.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi wazowski --

Having a normal EEG doesn't necessarily rule out epilepsy as a potential cause for your tics and jerks. The EEG can't always catch seizure activity that is too deep in he brain or too fleeting to register. If you can, you might see about getting a second, sleep-deprived or overnight EEG, or a second opinion.

Aside from that, stress can trigger both epileptic and non-epileptic seizures, so you're right to try and find ways to minimize stress and things that might make you anxious. Have you tried meditating? It doesn't have to be anything formal, just 5 minutes a few times a day where you sit or lie down, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing -- short exhales from the diaphragm followed by longer exhales. It's good to to do this on a preventive basis, rather than waiting until you feel anxious.

For the tics/jerks, I suggest you try taking a magnesium taurate supplement a couple of times a day. It can help relax muscles (including the heart muscle) and relieve cramping. It's safe (though doesn't hurt to double-check with your doc) and inexpensive, and could potentially offer significant relief.