Seizure Question... Help..?!
Question: Seizure Question!.!.!. Help!.!.!?
Ok!.!. so I was on my Eighth Grade East Coast Trip!.!. and we were in Gettysburg!. (I'm from Michigan) And we were going to the battlegrounds!.!. and as we were driving i apparently 'fell asleep' , which is strange since i dont remember being tired!. And then when my friends tried to wake me up!.!. i wouldnt!.!. and apparently i was shaking on my right side!.!. next thing i know i'm in the Gettysburg Hospital!.
I've seen a nuerologist and such, and he thinks that the seizure was an anxiety induced seizure!.!.!. and now i'm getting panic attacks all the time over things that normally i wouldnt even bat an eyelash at!.
so the real question is, does anyone have any tips on controlling panic attacks and maybe preventing another seizure!? I mean, I'm starting high school in a few weeks!.!.!. and its getting so bad that i've had to start taking sleeping pills!.
sorry so long, but its really been bothering me!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I've seen a nuerologist and such, and he thinks that the seizure was an anxiety induced seizure!.!.!. and now i'm getting panic attacks all the time over things that normally i wouldnt even bat an eyelash at!.
so the real question is, does anyone have any tips on controlling panic attacks and maybe preventing another seizure!? I mean, I'm starting high school in a few weeks!.!.!. and its getting so bad that i've had to start taking sleeping pills!.
sorry so long, but its really been bothering me!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
This sounds like None Epileptic Seizures sometimes known as NEAD (Non epileptic attack disorder)
The seizure was probably caused by stress - even if you didn't feel particularly stressed at the time!. To reduce seizures and panic attacks you need to know what is causing them in the first place and the best way to do this is to see a counsellor and have CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)
CBT can help you to change how you think ("Cognitive") and what you do ("Behaviour)"!. These changes can help you to feel better!. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the "here and now" problems and difficulties!. Instead of focussing on the causes of your distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now!. It has been found to be the best way of redcuing NEAD!.
Meanwhile its important that people around you are aware of the correct first aid procedure to follow if you have another seizure - see this link: http://www!.epilepsy!.org!.uk/info/firstaid!.!.!.
If you ahve a panic attack try following these steps:
One: If you feel a panic attack coming on and find you are breathing rapidly, breathe slowly in and out of a brown paper bag or cupped hands!.
Although you may feel you can't catch your breath, you are probably over breathing and taking in too much oxygen - making you feel giddy!. A paper bag will help your oxygen levels return to normal!.
Two: Change your lifestyle!. Take regular exercise - this helps to burn off excessive adrenaline!. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol!. Eat regular meals and avoid processed foods and drinks, to keep blood sugar levels stable!.
Three: Don't attempt to fight your way out of a panic attack - this will simply increase the adrenaline!. Instead accept the feelings will come and go and allow the symptoms to play their tricks as they will!. Practise imagining yourself floating over them!. Eventually the panic will subside!.
Four: Don't bottle up your emotions!. Find someone to confide in, such as a family member, friend or counsellor!.
Five: Focus outside of yourself during an attack!. Listen to some music or do a pleasurable task while waiting for the panic to subside!.
Six: Learn a relaxation technique!. First close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply!. Locate any areas of tension and imagine them disappearing!. Then, relax each part of the body, bit by bit, from the feet upwards!. Think of warmth and heaviness!. After 20 minutes of doing this, take some deep breaths and stretch!.
Seven: Firmly tell yourself that your symptoms are nothing more than an over-sensitised nervous system!. They are temporary feelings and are not medically harmful or dangerous!.
Eight: Reduce your exposure to unnecessary stress!. Be prepared to express your needs to others and assert yourself!.
Have you had an diagnostic tests - MRI or EEG!? because a neurologist cant confirm Epilepsy or NEAD without any of these tests, and if a neurologist has - i would suggest getting a second opinion!. But also remember its very possible to have one seizure in your lifetime and never have another!.
Here is some further information on NEAD:
http://www!.epilepsy!.org!.uk/info/nonep!.ht!.!.!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com
The seizure was probably caused by stress - even if you didn't feel particularly stressed at the time!. To reduce seizures and panic attacks you need to know what is causing them in the first place and the best way to do this is to see a counsellor and have CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)
CBT can help you to change how you think ("Cognitive") and what you do ("Behaviour)"!. These changes can help you to feel better!. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the "here and now" problems and difficulties!. Instead of focussing on the causes of your distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now!. It has been found to be the best way of redcuing NEAD!.
Meanwhile its important that people around you are aware of the correct first aid procedure to follow if you have another seizure - see this link: http://www!.epilepsy!.org!.uk/info/firstaid!.!.!.
If you ahve a panic attack try following these steps:
One: If you feel a panic attack coming on and find you are breathing rapidly, breathe slowly in and out of a brown paper bag or cupped hands!.
Although you may feel you can't catch your breath, you are probably over breathing and taking in too much oxygen - making you feel giddy!. A paper bag will help your oxygen levels return to normal!.
Two: Change your lifestyle!. Take regular exercise - this helps to burn off excessive adrenaline!. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol!. Eat regular meals and avoid processed foods and drinks, to keep blood sugar levels stable!.
Three: Don't attempt to fight your way out of a panic attack - this will simply increase the adrenaline!. Instead accept the feelings will come and go and allow the symptoms to play their tricks as they will!. Practise imagining yourself floating over them!. Eventually the panic will subside!.
Four: Don't bottle up your emotions!. Find someone to confide in, such as a family member, friend or counsellor!.
Five: Focus outside of yourself during an attack!. Listen to some music or do a pleasurable task while waiting for the panic to subside!.
Six: Learn a relaxation technique!. First close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply!. Locate any areas of tension and imagine them disappearing!. Then, relax each part of the body, bit by bit, from the feet upwards!. Think of warmth and heaviness!. After 20 minutes of doing this, take some deep breaths and stretch!.
Seven: Firmly tell yourself that your symptoms are nothing more than an over-sensitised nervous system!. They are temporary feelings and are not medically harmful or dangerous!.
Eight: Reduce your exposure to unnecessary stress!. Be prepared to express your needs to others and assert yourself!.
Have you had an diagnostic tests - MRI or EEG!? because a neurologist cant confirm Epilepsy or NEAD without any of these tests, and if a neurologist has - i would suggest getting a second opinion!. But also remember its very possible to have one seizure in your lifetime and never have another!.
Here is some further information on NEAD:
http://www!.epilepsy!.org!.uk/info/nonep!.ht!.!.!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com