Laughing Seizures?

[kesaiserris]

I was curious has anyone had a laughing seizure? These are rare but I was wondering if this sounds like one? Does anyone remember what part of the brain they originate in?

I will start laughing and at first it seems normal, euphoric but its oddly unassociated to anything, its a bout of laughing that comes on for no reason. Then it starts to get scary, unsettling, I feel outside my body but at the same time trapped. I am not really fully aware of anyone and I can't respond to anyone. I start to feel a real sense of terror and eventually the laughing turns into uncontrollable sobbing (much harder than I would cry under any but the most extreme circumstances). Its very strange because I am kind of conscious I can sort remain in position with support though I can't consciously think to support myself (usually my husband would support me). These can go on for several minutes. They are really spooky not just to me but for others who have seen them. I had one in the water once, I could not swim and obviously started sinking and swallowing water. I haven't had that many of these, I have way more of the other types but I really dislike them. They are very draining.

 

[Nakamova]

They are called Gelastic seizures, and a few CWE members have mentioned them:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/do-your-seizures-change-20394/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/hello-gelastic-seizures-coping-13245/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/gelastic-seizures-16032/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com...d-son-just-diagnosed-gelastic-seizures-17639/

 

[TheresaSC]

My son whom is 6 has GELASTIC seizures.

 

[MaeDae]

I've been talking about them (episodes of laughing then crying) since I've been a member here at CWE, your the only other person that has mentioned going from euphoria to crying in a matter of seconds other than myself. Not once has anyone ever suggested that it might be seizure related. Hmmm? Come to think of it happened to me the other night. And has happened before. I thought I was crazy, PBS?, PTSD? bipolar?, you name it. I would have never guessed seizure. Sobbing now, just thinking all this time thats what it is. Damn!

The other nite it caught me off guard because there was a jerk so to speak that preceeded it. It felt like a giant tickle, funny bone type feeling all over, right side and it was really fast. I hurled a pair of socks right out of my hand, even tho I was tossing them, it looked like I was playing baseball. Couldnt tell you why I was laughing then crying, but I could tell you that I felt extremely alone, scared, crazy and exhausted. I did sleep well that night with energy spent.