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Please Help, Epilepsy Misdiagnosed as Panic Attacks?

Tue, 05/29/2018 - 07:54
Hi everyone, I'm sort of in a predicament. I have had "episodes" since I was 19, I'm now 27. Initially I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder but my most recent episode has made me question this entirely, let me explain. I woke up this morning, opened my phone and have a browse, then I sort of feel a bit zoned out. This overwhelming feeling (really hard to describe - somewhat of a rush but almost anxiety driven) showers my body, then snap the more I try to fight it there more overwhelming everything becomes. The world around me becomes familiar but bizarre at the same time, and this overwhelming feeling of dread feeds off me. I hit myself in the face almost trying to wake myself up, there's really few words to try and describe this. I literally feel as though I have lost the plot completely, even thing becomes way too vivid and light almost amplifies the sensation. It usually last 3-8 minutes with an "afterglow" of an hour or so. Bizarrely enough, this sometimes can be brought on by "mind blowing thoughts", kind of like existential thoughts if you get what I mean. As well as bright fluorescent lights, for example visiting a grocery store at night. I've had this recurring issue since 19, have never been diagnosed with any form of epilepsy and has always been put down to panic disorder brought on anxiety - but how - during these episodes I really don't portray any signs of a classic panic attack, no sweats, no heart race or palpitation, I can breathe just fine and certainly no tremors. Lately I have been noticing 'absence seizures' if you can call it that. I have been very stressed recently due to issues in my personal life, and have begun losing my train of thought, concentration and zone out when I'm talking, I think this is the first time I'm had this issue and can't recall having it as a child. I have for a while had major depressive disorder and am presently being treated with Sertraline (Zoloft), I've also recently come of Clonazepam (Klonopin) which was prescribed for anxiety disorder but having been on it long term had become dependent and since 3 months ago, ceased usage by initially titrating my dose down. I am thinking about going to the doctor, however am concerned they will simply put it down to panic disorder Please let me know your thought, or if anyone shares my experiences. Anything will be greatly appreciated.

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