Seizure/aura vs. anxiety?

[RunningGirl85]

Just curious if anyone here suffers from both anxiety and/or panic attacks as well as seizures? And how you know the difference between the two? The reason I ask is because I've always associated some of the freaked out, anxious feelings I get with seizure activity, but when I was telling my neurologist he did question if I've had problems with panicking. He was just curious, and I said I've just always associated it with seizure activity.

Now today and yesterday I've had some deja vu, and NOW I'm getting the dizzy/anxious feeling I associate with seizures. The first time I had a T/C seizure I felt this way before hand, which I guess is why I've always associated the two. What my neurologist said DID get me thinking though... what if when I feel this way it's not seizure activity, but just anxiety? Last time I felt kinda like this, I did end with a headache and being quite tired, so I know it was seizure activity. THIS incident started when I grabbed something and felt really dizzy standing up. I thought maybe it was because I hadn't eaten enough today, so I grabbed a bowl of cereal, but I'm still dizzy/anxious. Or maybe the dizziness makes me anxious... Not really sure. Everything DOES look a little brighter, like, it looks like everything has greater contrast. Oh and my heart rate is way higher than normal... like... 100 bpm. Considering that it usually gets that way when I'm walking up stairs, not sitting at my desk, it's a little high. But I know anxiety/panic can cause that too.

AH, sorry for rambling

 

[Chelsea]

This was one of the first questions I asked my neuro on initial consult. He said that sometimes the aura entails feelings of anxiety--I know I get a hair-raising fear (piloerection) for no rational reason. My bpm goes tachy almost immediately; all systems are go: I have to urinate, throw up, and drink water all at once. I also get flushed. He suggested I follow-up w/psychiatry for the post-ictal depression, but that seems to ease up after a T/C sz and Rx is adjusted. Hope this helps. CWE has been a God-send for me. It's great to meet the community of ya'll.

 

[Crash]

Yes i suffer from anxiety and very rarely panic attacks but not anymore.Stress has always been a trigger for me and seizures,so now i am medicated for anxiety,its like i know i have a saftey barrier because off the medication and i feel more confident which has reduced the number off seizures i would have.

I can tell the difference because seizure activity is in my head,mumbling words not been able to get them out,finding it really hard to concentrate.While anxiety,dry mouth,paranoia,racing heart.But i can understand why the two get blurred because if im anxious i worry that ill stress our and have a seizure.I do know what you mean! But im rambling too trying to put it into words!!!

 

[moongal]

I have suffered both and find that I am more likely to get a seizure if I get stressed out or overly upset about something. I am also on medication for both depression and epilepsy, to be honest I would find it quite difficult to tell the difference between the onset of a seizure and a panic attack all I know is when I feel like that put my head between my legs and take deep, deep breaths until that awful feeling passes. I don't know if that helped you any??? xxx

 

[RunningGirl85]

Thanks for the feedback! Chelsea, I also got flushed today (though not always) - also, welcome to CWE. I love this page too... I just got diagnosed in April, so I'm still new to everything and am CONSTANTLY asking questions. ANYWAYS, nobody was here for me to talk to, so I'm not sure if that was a problem. In the past my speech became difficult as well when I got these feelings, so with my history I've always just figured it was seizure activity. I think today was as well, as I got randomly depressed after it was all over, and my stomach still has the pit out of nowhere (though I don't feel as depressed).

One of the guys here who lives upstairs was an EMT/firefighter and he said if I start feeling like I am going to have a seizure to call him since I live alone (the whole military, help each other out thing), since he has dealt with seizures in the past. I almost called today... but didn't, so I'm glad it didn't go further!

 

[jyearta]

I too have seizures and major anxiety. I am on meds. for both the seizures and anxiety. I really think that since I was put on Clonazepam my seizures have become less and less.

Before I was put on Clonazepam my seizures were starting to get worse and more often.

I can tell the diff. but I can't find the right words to tell you.

 

[Chelsea]

Thanks for the feedback! Chelsea, I also got flushed today (though not always) - also, welcome to CWE. I love this page too... I just got diagnosed in April, so I'm still new to everything and am CONSTANTLY asking questions. ANYWAYS, nobody was here for me to talk to, so I'm not sure if that was a problem. In the past my speech became difficult as well when I got these feelings, so with my history I've always just figured it was seizure activity. I think today was as well, as I got randomly depressed after it was all over, and my stomach still has the pit out of nowhere (though I don't feel as depressed).

One of the guys here who lives upstairs was an EMT/firefighter and he said if I start feeling like I am going to have a seizure to call him since I live alone (the whole military, help each other out thing), since he has dealt with seizures in the past. I almost called today... but didn't, so I'm glad it didn't go further!

It is great to hear the parts of life that other peo deal with, that I am not alone. I have some thing similar to a Life Alert, and it helps me (at least until I get things under control). It's ab feeling safe too, you kno? At my work place, I asked to have a 'go to' person on my shift, for at least my physical state and peace of mind. After the aura, I kno I have ab 15 min to get safe--and not bust my head falling down the stairs, etc. They made a big 'to do' about it. My employer asked me how much time a seizure would take out of the production week, "15 min or 20 hr?" Then she proceeded to tell me I would be better off as a "Wal-Mart greeter". I dont even think WM has greeters anymore? They have downsized b/c of the economy. I am going to call LegalAid on Mon.