NES: Everything about non-epileptic seizures
Hi everyone! I got asked by @MyNameIsNicole if I wanted to write a post about non-epileptic seizures. And yes, I definitely do! If you have any questions that don't get answered in this post, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to answer it. But for now, let's get started!
Introduction
Besides epileptic seizures, there is another type of seizures: non-epileptic seizures. What are those, what causes them, and how can you help someone who experiences non-epileptic seizures? We’re going to take a look at these questions and some more in this post.
Generalised seizures may include symptoms like
Convulsions
Stiffening
Jerkingy, rhythmic or twitching motions
Falling down
Loss of consciousness
Loss of bladder control
Biting the tongue
-
Confusion after the seizure
Partial seizures may include symptoms like
Jerky or rhythmic movements
Tingling sensations
Dizziness
Repetitive motions
Staring
Confusion
Changes in emotions
-
Altered senses
What causes NES?
NES can be caused by mental stress or physical conditions. Potential causes are
Heart conditions
Diabetes or other metabolic disorders
Mental disorders
Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
-
A major accident
In a recently published article, it is explained that both, epileptic and non-epileptic seizures, are caused by a strong discharge of a charge that has built up over time for different reasons, including unhealthy tension and chaos in the brain patterns.
How common are non-epileptic seizures?
From all people with seizures, around 60-70% of them have epilepsy, 10-20% have NES and 10-30% experience both types of seizures. This means that NES is pretty common in people who experience seizures.
But if you look at all the people in the US, it’s actually not as common. It is estimated that there are 2 to 33 per 100,000 people in the US who have NES. To compare, there are 5,610 per 100,000 people in the US who have asthma!
What are the treatment options for NES?
There is still a lack of helpful treatment options for NES. At the moment the most common treatment is psychotherapy. If there is an underlying health cause or risk factor, there might be more treatment options.
Question for everyone: Have you ever heard of non-epileptic seizures before? What were the circumstances?
Resources
Non-Epileptic Seizures | Cedars-Sinai
Nonepileptic Seizures | Epilepsy Foundation
(PDF) Psyche, Soma and Seizures
Closing the Major Gap in PNES Research - PMC
Asthma Prevalence | Human Progress
Other posts regarding Epilepsy Awareness
Seizure First Aid:
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Thank you @MyNameIsNicole for giving me the opportunity to spread awareness about NES!