I can cause a seizure by just thinking about it...

[SniffleCat]

I used to have grand mals, now I have partial myoclonic in my right leg triggered by my sleep cycle (so only happens at night, except in extenuating circumstances such as high stress, exhaustion, etc). I have them daily, my threshold is very low. Although, I swear I can make them happen while I am awake just by thinking about it. All I have to do is focus on what they feel like and imagine it happening and within like 5 minutes I can get one to start. It is so bizarre, I am actually afraid to mention it to my neurologist thinking he will think I am faking. What is going on???

 

[resaebiunne]

I don't find this very surprising, and I think it's worth sharing with your doctor. There are many things that could be causing the seizure, such as anxiety. It is not uncommon for people with mental illnesses (not epilepsy) where anxiety can cause psychosis to get worse or experience paranoia, etc. I'm not entirely sure, but when you get anxious your body can release adrenaline which might be causing the seizures. Stress or lack of sleep can cause your body to release adrenaline as well, or not eating enough. In turn, the adrenaline can cause more activity in the brain which makes your seizure threshold lower.

If this is indeed the case, your doctor could prescribe a beta blocker medication, such as propranolol to help reduce your stress level.

 

[seagull]

If I get anxious start thinking about it I get the awful aura fear to pit of stomach.It stands to reason you could do it as some people can abort them visa versa must happen..I try very hard not to think about them...I would not wish that awful feeling on anyone

 

[Howll]

This is something I've been curious about. I suffer with anxiety, and have had grand mal and petit mal seizures.
The last grand mal was last August, since then my anxiety got worse because I hadn't had one for 6 yrs. I've had a few petit mal this year and I keep thinking that I'm bringing them on myself by thinking about them and then getting panicked.
However, this could just be repressed memories/feelings coming back mimicking the seizure, or it could be that your unconscious is detecting the seizure before your conscious mind kicks in, and when it does and you think about it it's all a bit jumbled so you think you've brought it on.

I don't know really, but it's weird. When I get anxious, which is often, I'll often feel on high alert as to whether this is a panic attack or a seizure, and end up worrying myself more, but more often than not it turns out to be nothing.

 

[Cint]

My first thought when I saw this post was, "don't think about it". But then I realized that is almost impossible for someone suffering with a seizure disorder. I try NOT to think of having a seizure every time I leave my home, just so I'll be prepared in case I do have one (does that make any sense?) Anyway, easier said than done. The anxiety that goes along with E can bring on a seizure. The two ARE related. Read about it here:

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-101/anxiety

Anxiety as a reaction to the diagnosis of epilepsy
People often develop anxiety after epilepsy is diagnosed, or after they have their first seizure. In fact, one common cause of anxiety in epilepsy is the fear of having a seizure. The knowledge that a seizure can occur at any time and place without very much warning is a major point of anxiety for many people. Some also become anxious about social rejection due to their condition, particularly during adolescence. Social support is therefore an important element in the life of a person with epilepsy.

 

[acshuman]

What I Do!

Cint,
I have lived w/E for over 50 years now. I have reached the decision that I will not let having a seizure bother me. I know this is not the way a lot of people handle something like this. I have had a seizure in public many times. I just don't let myself think about what just happened. If a have a seizure I will accept the fact that I had a seizure and move on. I just put what happened out of my mind.
This makes it much easier to deal with having a seizure. It also lessens the stress that I would feel if I kept thinking about having a seizure.
This may be something that a person can learn over the years, but it is also something that has helped me out when dealing with my E.
I have mentored several young people who were very disturbed about having a seizure, but when they learned that they could help themselves by NOT worrying about their E they soon learned to do the same as me! :twocents:

ACsHuman

 

[N Sperlo]

Anxiety whirlpool effect. You suck yourself in. Very possible.

 

[Cint]

Cint,
I have lived w/E for over 50 years now. I have reached the decision that I will not let having a seizure bother me. I know this is not the way a lot of people handle something like this. I have had a seizure in public many times. I just don't let myself think about what just happened. If a have a seizure I will accept the fact that I had a seizure and move on. I just put what happened out of my mind.
This makes it much easier to deal with having a seizure. It also lessens the stress that I would feel if I kept thinking about having a seizure.
This may be something that a person can learn over the years, but it is also something that has helped me out when dealing with my E.
I have mentored several young people who were very disturbed about having a seizure, but when they learned that they could help themselves by NOT worrying about their E they soon learned to do the same as me! :twocents:

ACsHuman

onder: I've had E for nearly 40 YEARS andI've had many TC's in public. 911 has been called several times. On several occasions, my kids, who were very young at the time, thought their momma was going to DIE! I've also been thru nearly every POSSIBLE treatment that's been available- Temporal lobectomy, 15 Medications, and three VNS surgeries!! My neurologist even mentioned to me the Neurostimulator, placed inside the skull instead of my chest like the VNS. I said NO THANKS!! Enough already!!

BTW, I also used to do volunteer work with the Epilepsy Foundation and used to speak with the schools about seizures. So that is my :two cents: I don't worry about it, so why "preach" to me?

 

[girlwithadog]

I know the feeling. It seems that anxiety and seizures go hand in hand for me sometimes. Well all the time actually as part of my aura is an intense anxiety attack 30 seconds prior to my generalized episodes.

Anyways.... I have noticed lately that if I think too hard on it that I start to at least go into a conplex partial. But its only when i think hard and can start to mentally feel the feelings of one starting and I go into a complex partial. But then again it makes you wonder if thinking about it is what has caused it or if you were thinking about it because your brain picked up on subtle ques warning of an impending episode.

When you think about it typing it out, doing research, discussing with others or your doctor does it happen often? Or is it only sometimes?

Its no secret to the epilepsy world that not thinking about your epilepsy can sometimes be impossible so how much time is spent talking about it vs how much times does thinking about it turn into something more? Perhaps it happens sometimes while thinking about it necause the length of time thinking about it is a lot?

I think there could very well be a connection between over thinking and having a seizure but at the same time perhaps it is coincidental or perhaps there is a reason to it?

I am still trying to figure all of this out myself. Im newly diagnosed but was misdiagnosed all throughout childhood as mental disorders and migraines so I dont know much so take what I say for what its worth... Not much haha

 

[zombelina]

SniffleCat

I can too, but I've never told anyone because I always thought it seemed a little unbelievable. I'm glad I'm not the only one. If you do end up telling your neurologist, let me know what they say! I'm very curious.

 

[zombelina]

...or it could be that your unconscious is detecting the seizure before your conscious mind kicks in, and when it does and you think about it it's all a bit jumbled so you think you've brought it on.

cool!

 

[zombelina]

...or it could be that your unconscious is detecting the seizure before your conscious mind kicks in, and when it does and you think about it it's all a bit jumbled so you think you've brought it on.

cool!

But its only when i think hard and can start to mentally feel the feelings of one starting...

Do you mean like mental calculations and/or reading? Sometimes I have simple partials when I am focusing on something really hard.