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Panic attack versus seizure

Sat, 02/28/2009 - 06:08

What is the difference between a panic attack and a seizure? The seizure I had this evening started with a sheer panic attack and progressed into a complex partial seizure. I felt sheer terror at first working up my spine and then it generalized into a true seizure, where I lost consciousness.

Has anybody else had this happen to them? Any information or response would be grateful.

Comments

Re: Panic attack versus seizure

Submitted by arielstariel on Sat, 2009-02-28 - 07:41
i have simple partial seizures that are so excruciating scary. It's worse than a panic attack. Notice if you are triggered. Or does it just happen. If it is spontaneous it is for sure a seizure. Though, it can be huge stress causing a seizure, I had that the other day. I cried for so long about a real thing that then I started going into a seizure with an automatism where I wander out of the house at night, It scares me. Trying to get these seizures back under control, along with the petrification I call it, the fear. Mine are accompanied by feelings that I am making a terrible mistake and a very very clear vivid dejavu unlike what normal people call it. Good to talk. Ariel

Re: Panic attack versus seizure

Submitted by MichaelK on Sat, 2009-02-28 - 08:27

Thank you so much for your reply. The only consistency is that it sometimes occurs when I am thinking about how to make a plan for how to accomplish a specific goal in the future. There is something that I want to do yet I haven't written anything down for it. I am only making a rough sketch.

Sometimes it occurs when I am thinking like this but not every time. Otherwise, there is no other related consistency. These attacks/seizures just happen out of the blue. Does this sound more like a seizure?

Thank you so much for your reply. The only consistency is that it sometimes occurs when I am thinking about how to make a plan for how to accomplish a specific goal in the future. There is something that I want to do yet I haven't written anything down for it. I am only making a rough sketch.

Sometimes it occurs when I am thinking like this but not every time. Otherwise, there is no other related consistency. These attacks/seizures just happen out of the blue. Does this sound more like a seizure?

Re: Panic attack versus seizure

Submitted by ladybg472 on Mon, 2009-03-09 - 21:29

I know there have been quite a few replys already, but the panic attack feelings you have are exactly what I experience with my auras before my Complex partial seizures. It's definately a classic Temporal Lobe epilepsy symptom often confused with anxiety or panic attacks. I also tend to get deja vu feelings a lot. I read your profile Michael...it's too bad you're not still in Minnesota, I go to a great Epilepsy clinic in St. Louis Park that's really worked at getting my seizures under control this last time that they've come back. I too have had epilepsy since I was about 10 years old.

As for what you're experiencing "is it a panic attack"? It sounds like they may be auras of some sort. I know I'll sometimes get in a "zone" like that where I'll just be in deep thought, get a rush in my chest, then I can either make it go away by snapping myself out of it, or it'll turn into a seizure if the surroundings and situation is right. Our brains are weird things. Have you ever tried Topamax? When my seizures came back about a year ago that's what i've been on and so far it's been pretty good...i still have a random seizure if i forget meds or have a lack of sleep, but it's worked pretty well.

I know there have been quite a few replys already, but the panic attack feelings you have are exactly what I experience with my auras before my Complex partial seizures. It's definately a classic Temporal Lobe epilepsy symptom often confused with anxiety or panic attacks. I also tend to get deja vu feelings a lot. I read your profile Michael...it's too bad you're not still in Minnesota, I go to a great Epilepsy clinic in St. Louis Park that's really worked at getting my seizures under control this last time that they've come back. I too have had epilepsy since I was about 10 years old.

As for what you're experiencing "is it a panic attack"? It sounds like they may be auras of some sort. I know I'll sometimes get in a "zone" like that where I'll just be in deep thought, get a rush in my chest, then I can either make it go away by snapping myself out of it, or it'll turn into a seizure if the surroundings and situation is right. Our brains are weird things. Have you ever tried Topamax? When my seizures came back about a year ago that's what i've been on and so far it's been pretty good...i still have a random seizure if i forget meds or have a lack of sleep, but it's worked pretty well.

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