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Epilepsy and PAnic Attacks

Tue, 01/23/2007 - 18:24
Hi, I've lived with Epilepsy 21 years but it's only been over the past 2-3 years that i've started with panic attacks. I know they're panic attacks and not fits as they aren't the same mass of emotion as my seizures. This has started a vicious circle as my panic attacks bring on my fits and vice versa!!! Has anyone had this problem? Luv Edwina X

Comments

Re: Re: Epilepsy and PAnic Attacks

Submitted by Christina41586 on Thu, 2007-01-25 - 16:22
I had anxiety first, then recently got diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. For years doctors just told me that I was having anxiety attacks, but I knew better. There is such a difference between an axiety attack and a seizure! Many times the hyperventilation I have during a panic attack can cause a seizure. The thing is during my EEG they had me hyperventilate, and it didn't show a change, but it was just for three minutes, and I didn't fully let go and hyperventilate because I was understandably scared. Stress can trigger seizures, too, at least for me, so that's something to think about as well. The anxiety attack could stress you out, and definitely tire you out, which can also aggravate seizure disorders. I feel your pain!

Re: Epilepsy and PAnic Attacks

Submitted by Jersey on Mon, 2007-01-29 - 21:37
This is a week late but I ended up going to therapy last year and was diagnosed with a combination of OCD/Panic disorder and the obsession being with death(like the fear that someone i loved was dying/dead or I was going to die)-- awesome right? The therapist suggested a psychatrist but as a recent psychology graduate I said no, no drugs. A few things in my life turned around for the better and the panic attacks are pretty much gone-- but I still have the thoughts of the obsessions. I don't go to the therapist anymore-- I won't take drugs, they wanted me to do this "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing" which includes a light flashing in front of my eyes. Hi, therapist, you're an idiot. And I really didn't want to talk since I knew exactly what she was doing and I guess that ruins the point.

I hate to ask this for fear

Submitted by carrieb on Tue, 2007-01-30 - 08:57
I hate to ask this for fear of sounding stupid because I may be the only one who's not getting it, but what exactly was she trying to do?

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