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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 pewter on Tue, 2009-03-10 - 20:47

I have had panic attacks and my panic attacks aren't like my seizures.

However, usually my seizures (Partial Complex) start with a "smell" though I have had 2 that started out with an overwhelming sense of high anxiety/doom out of the blue for a few seconds, followed by the "smell", and then the Partial or Partial Complex in it's entirety.  Kinda like having 2 auras, if that makes sense to anyone.

Neuro still believes I have PNES and that these 2 are sure signs of it because she has said it is "not typical seizure symptoms" along with some other symptoms like being aware of my symptoms up to the point of loss of consciousness (after that things are fuzzy).  The other seizures I've had have only started primarily with "smell" with one starting with a "visual disturbance". 

 

I have had panic attacks and my panic attacks aren't like my seizures.

However, usually my seizures (Partial Complex) start with a "smell" though I have had 2 that started out with an overwhelming sense of high anxiety/doom out of the blue for a few seconds, followed by the "smell", and then the Partial or Partial Complex in it's entirety.  Kinda like having 2 auras, if that makes sense to anyone.

Neuro still believes I have PNES and that these 2 are sure signs of it because she has said it is "not typical seizure symptoms" along with some other symptoms like being aware of my symptoms up to the point of loss of consciousness (after that things are fuzzy).  The other seizures I've had have only started primarily with "smell" with one starting with a "visual disturbance". 

 

Re: Panic attack versus seizure

Submitted by tigerous on Wed, 2009-03-11 - 21:01
I have had problems with panic attacks and seizures as well. When I had panic attacks before, they were usually whenever I went to work. Now, I have had episodes on several occassions. They felt like panic attacks, but they were worse. At first, they feel exactly the same. The problem is that now that don't go away like they used to. The one time, it took probably an hour or so before I felt normal. The other time, it took that long as well. When I talked to my psychiatrist, he suggested my panic attacks were seizure related. Now, comparing the experiences before and the more recent experiences, I honestly believe that my current panic attacks are actually auras.

Re: Panic attack versus seizure

Submitted by heythere on Wed, 2009-03-11 - 22:20

I got to say I am so happy to read this discussion this is exactlly what happens to me!! I am stressing, hurt, getting blood drawn, too hot and next thing I know I'm feeling really ill and if I don't decompress or get out of the room or situation, I know I'm going doooooooooowwwwwnnnnnn and like in slow motion I can feel everything shutting down which is a scary horrible experience because I have no control and then I wake up sweaty and it takes me a while to recover. I know this sounds so funny but I am so happy to hear you guys are having the same thing. I was thinking maybe mine was really bad anxiety, but they told me people don't pass out with panic attacks although they may feel like it. That and my EEG came back abnormal with focal type activity in the temporal lobe. Just like you!! I know this sounds stupid, but I am so happy to know I'm not alone with this experience of anxiety and seizure. So I guess that means I'm having partial complex seizures. Now I even have a name for the seizure, YAY! Thanks guys.

Gabrielle

I got to say I am so happy to read this discussion this is exactlly what happens to me!! I am stressing, hurt, getting blood drawn, too hot and next thing I know I'm feeling really ill and if I don't decompress or get out of the room or situation, I know I'm going doooooooooowwwwwnnnnnn and like in slow motion I can feel everything shutting down which is a scary horrible experience because I have no control and then I wake up sweaty and it takes me a while to recover. I know this sounds so funny but I am so happy to hear you guys are having the same thing. I was thinking maybe mine was really bad anxiety, but they told me people don't pass out with panic attacks although they may feel like it. That and my EEG came back abnormal with focal type activity in the temporal lobe. Just like you!! I know this sounds stupid, but I am so happy to know I'm not alone with this experience of anxiety and seizure. So I guess that means I'm having partial complex seizures. Now I even have a name for the seizure, YAY! Thanks guys.

Gabrielle

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