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A.D.H.D link to Epilepsy

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 20:27

Topic: Parents & Caregivers

Hello, the basis for my posting here is to see if anyone has more information on this. I was diagnosed with Adhd at the age of 5 ( i am now 36). For as long as I can remember I have had moments of spacing out, just staring blankly. During these times I've had people clap/ snap thier fingers, and yell my name in front of my face with no responce from me. My friends who watch this tell me its like watching someone shut a light switch off. Most of the time when this happens now I am aware of what is going on around me, I just can not respond or my response is slow. I never imagined that this could be a form of seizure, I just took it as something that stemed from my adhd. What is making me look closer is a video I recently watched on seizures, one of the woman shown was doing EXACTLY what I do. I decided to look for a link between the two as my son is also adhd and I catch him "spacing out" from time to time.

I am hesitant to seek a proffessionals advice or diagnosis on this as I just started a new job and it's not something that has ever really impacted my work.

Comments

I have had moments of

Submitted by just_joe on Mon, 2015-10-12 - 14:45

I have had moments of spacing out, just staring blankly.<<<< look at what absence seizures look like or what a person does in one. Another seizure could be focal seizures. I know for about 2 years I had been written up for daydreaming in class. It seems like those daydreams were petite seizures or focal motor seizures. Now they are absence or focal seizures.As it impacting your work.... The longer a person waits to get treatment the more frequent the seizures become and the stronger them get.

I agree with everything you

Submitted by kristicain12@gmail.com on Tue, 2015-10-20 - 20:00

I agree with everything you said except for the advice to hide it. People who are able to overcome epilepsy often need to take the bull by the horns to agressively seek effective treatment. So from a clinical perspective don't hide it, get a referral & testing ASAP!! Socially speaking although you don't necessarily need to go out & buy the t shirt, it would be wise to confide in trusted friends as a basic health & safety issue. Seizures in rare instances can be life-threatening and since they will render you unconscious and unable to instruct, it would be good to surround yourself with people educated and empowered to get you the help you need should the need arise.

These are definitely seizures

Submitted by kristicain12@gmail.com on Tue, 2015-10-20 - 20:06

These are definitely seizures & probably a form of absence seizures. As others have mentioned ADD/ADHD is one of the most common comorbidities to epilepsy, but sometimes seizures can be misdiagnosed as ADD or being spaced out when you have literally lost consciousness through no fault of your own. There are several major health risks to shirking treatment for seizures, so please get tested & treated, it could possibly save your life. Also it is important to educate your trusted friends and loved ones about how to help you during your seizures. Be educated, be informed, be proactive in seeking treatment, and be well!

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