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Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)

Thu, 06/15/2006 - 10:43

Topic: Living With Epilepsy - Adults

Hi. I have had 3-5 Complex Partial Seizures every week for the last four months. I had an abnormal EEG and started Lamictal a month ago. I am pretty aware during the seizures. I have a lot of difficulty moving and speaking. Sometimes I'm completely frozen. I sometimes have these weird compulsive behaviors before, during, or after the seizure. I will say a word or sentence or sound over and over again. Or I will nod a lot, bite the air, rock, figit with my hand...etc. I know this is common for people with CPS, but I've never heard of someone being aware of it happening. I am aware of what I'm doing, but very compelled to do these things around a seizure episode. Sometimes I do this and just feel tired afterwards, without a seizure. I was wondering if anyone else has had an experience like this. I feel uncertain that this is based on something going on in my brain or if is psychological. I've been under a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I can't discount the possibilty that this compulsive behavior is in my head (figuratively). I just really want to know. Thank you, Reb

Comments

Re: Re: Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)

Submitted by ericamaria on Thu, 2006-06-15 - 12:37

Rebpow, I think I know what you are talking about becuase I go through the same thing. I can be in a conversation with a person and suddenly can't speak I am trying to but something just doesn't seem to work. I can't get words out. Then at times I will repeat the same word in a conversation over and over, becuase I can't controll it. I am fully aware of what is going on. These do seem to happen when there is a lot going on, when I am excited or nervous. One day The last time I experiance these real bad they did result in a small grand mal seizure. Sounds like an oxymoron, but by small I mean I was able to function the next day and I think it was pretty mild I only woke up feeling disoriented. Erica Maria

Re: Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)

Submitted by brodie on Wed, 2008-09-03 - 18:27

Hi Reb... Let me take a stab

Submitted by solis on Thu, 2006-06-15 - 14:56

Hi Reb... Let me take a stab at helping you. I've had epilepsy for 49 years - always either simple or complex partials. First, let me give you some pages to read on the topic from epilepsy.com. Symptoms of a seizure: http://www.epilepsy.com/101/ep101_symptom.html Complex Partials: http://www.epilepsy.com/101/ep101_symptom.html NOTE: the description of Complex Partials DOES NOT agree with your words "I am aware of what I'm doing" as the difference between Simple & Complex Partials is that there is no memory of the Complex ones. From the Complex Partial page: "These seizures usually start in a small area of the temporal lobe or frontal lobe of the brain. They quickly involve other areas of the brain that affect alertness and awareness. So even though the person's eyes are open and they may make movements that seem to have a purpose, in reality "nobody's home" Simple Partials: http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_simplepartial.html From that page: "They are remarkably different from person to person, depending on the part of the brain where they begin. The one thing they all have in common is that the person remains alert and can remember what happens." So; if, as you stated, you are able to remember what happens when you seize, you are having Simple not Complex Partial seizures. (I'd highly recommend you explore epilepsy.com which is created by physicians, so you can trust the information you read is accurate.) You will also read about the inevitable psychological effects caused by having seizures (a physical problem). However, epilepsy is the one area that straddles the border between neurology and psychiatry. (That scenario especially applies to temporal lobe epilepsy) ~sol

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