Fear attacks or seizures

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Hello! I'm 33 years old. Since I was 4-5 years old almost every day I have been experiencing fear attacks. They take for 2-3 minutes. Sometimes they are trigerred by loud sounds, flashing lights, blue fluorescent, sometimes words or sometimes different motions. I thought that they are anxiety or panic attacks. Also I had depression for a few years. Two years ago I started to use antidepressant pills (trazodone) for sleep. After my sleep had improved my attacks were decreased. A few months later I changed my psychiatrist because my depression got worse. She said that these attacks are anxiety attacks and started treatment with other pills (venlafaxine and trifluoperazine) in addition to trazodone. My attacks were still rare but stronger and longer than previous ones. A few days ago I changed my psychiatrist again. And when I explain all story he said that they aren't anxiety attacks but epilepsy seizures. He prescribed me epilepsy pills (karbamazepin) and said that venlafaxine pills may cause epilepsy attacks and changed them to duloxetine. This diagnose was sensible and I read a lot about different epilepsy types. But I wanted to go to neurologist and to get his opinion. He made EEG and MRI exams and said that results are all clear. Also he said that he thinks that they are may be epilepsy seizures, but he said that we should wait for three months to start antiepileptic drugs. It was on friday. Now I have some problems... I had attack during MRI, trigged by sounds of MRI. They had to stop exam and start again when it passed. On Saturday I had 4 attacks, one was during sleep. Yesterday I had one attack during sleep and today another one when I was awake. I haven't had so much attacks for a long time. Could MRI have triggered my attacks if they are actually epileptic seizures? Or they are anxiety attacks and were increased because of changing venlafaxine to duloxetine? Should I start to use antiepileptic drugs? I'm very confused. Thank you for reading and comments...

Comments

I’m a licensed clinical

Submitted by Patriotrehab on Mon, 2019-11-04 - 19:50

I’m a licensed clinical social worker and certified rehabilitation counselor as well as a person with epilepsy. I have extensive experience treating people with so-called mental health disorders including psychogenic non epileptic seizures (PNES) become symptom free as a result of psychotherapy. Please understand that psychiatric medications are non curative and like anti epileptic medications only work as long as you take the medications. If you have epileptic seizures, the anti epileptic medications will likely help reduce the seizures if not control them completely. If your events are more likely related to anxiety or depression or some other mental health disorder, then they will be more responsive to psychiatric medications. There is also a possibility that you could have both epilepsy and PNES or anxiety attacks. While there are some seizures that are photosensitive, it’s definitely not typical for a person with epilepsy to be triggered so much by “fear”. Just because you have events in your sleep doesn’t mean that they are not also cause by “fear”. The face that your events responded to psychiatric medications and that you have had an increase in events since your new psychiatrist changed your medication (possibly since starting you on an anti epileptic medication) suggests that your events may be more psychological. But, nobody here can tell you that for sure. You did the right thing by seeking the opinion of a neurologist because the psychiatrist should not be treating you for epilepsy. A primary care doctor or neurologist is appropriate for treating epilepsy. However, because of your history and the question about differential diagnosis...unless you have an abnormal EEG... I would advise you to talk with the neurologist about an extended video EEG. This is the gold standard for diagnosing epilepsy vs. PNES. It can be harmful to your body to take anti epileptic drugs when you don’t need them and if you do have PNES...the great news is that many people become symptom free in less than a year without psychiatric medications after participation in psychotherapy. I know because like I said have treated clients who thought they had epilepsy, but in fact they had PNES and they went off their medication as a result of our work together. Here’s a helpful website about PNES written by other professionals that even includes a documentary about others who have similar experiences with PNES. I don’t agree with everything that they say about PNES because of my experience working it, but it’s based on their perspective. https://nonepilepticseizures.com/ Hope that helps!

I’m a licensed clinical social worker and certified rehabilitation counselor as well as a person with epilepsy. I have extensive experience treating people with so-called mental health disorders including psychogenic non epileptic seizures (PNES) become symptom free as a result of psychotherapy. Please understand that psychiatric medications are non curative and like anti epileptic medications only work as long as you take the medications. If you have epileptic seizures, the anti epileptic medications will likely help reduce the seizures if not control them completely. If your events are more likely related to anxiety or depression or some other mental health disorder, then they will be more responsive to psychiatric medications. There is also a possibility that you could have both epilepsy and PNES or anxiety attacks. While there are some seizures that are photosensitive, it’s definitely not typical for a person with epilepsy to be triggered so much by “fear”. Just because you have events in your sleep doesn’t mean that they are not also cause by “fear”. The face that your events responded to psychiatric medications and that you have had an increase in events since your new psychiatrist changed your medication (possibly since starting you on an anti epileptic medication) suggests that your events may be more psychological. But, nobody here can tell you that for sure. You did the right thing by seeking the opinion of a neurologist because the psychiatrist should not be treating you for epilepsy. A primary care doctor or neurologist is appropriate for treating epilepsy. However, because of your history and the question about differential diagnosis...unless you have an abnormal EEG... I would advise you to talk with the neurologist about an extended video EEG. This is the gold standard for diagnosing epilepsy vs. PNES. It can be harmful to your body to take anti epileptic drugs when you don’t need them and if you do have PNES...the great news is that many people become symptom free in less than a year without psychiatric medications after participation in psychotherapy. I know because like I said have treated clients who thought they had epilepsy, but in fact they had PNES and they went off their medication as a result of our work together. Here’s a helpful website about PNES written by other professionals that even includes a documentary about others who have similar experiences with PNES. I don’t agree with everything that they say about PNES because of my experience working it, but it’s based on their perspective. https://nonepilepticseizures.com/ Hope that helps!

I’m a licensed clinical social worker and certified rehabilitation counselor as well as a person with epilepsy. I have extensive experience treating people with so-called mental health disorders including psychogenic non epileptic seizures (PNES) become symptom free as a result of psychotherapy. Please understand that psychiatric medications are non curative and like anti epileptic medications only work as long as you take the medications. If you have epileptic seizures, the anti epileptic medications will likely help reduce the seizures if not control them completely. If your events are more likely related to anxiety or depression or some other mental health disorder, then they will be more responsive to psychiatric medications. There is also a possibility that you could have both epilepsy and PNES or anxiety attacks. While there are some seizures that are photosensitive, it’s definitely not typical for a person with epilepsy to be triggered so much by “fear”. Just because you have events in your sleep doesn’t mean that they are not also cause by “fear”. The face that your events responded to psychiatric medications and that you have had an increase in events since your new psychiatrist changed your medication (possibly since starting you on an anti epileptic medication) suggests that your events may be more psychological. But, nobody here can tell you that for sure. You did the right thing by seeking the opinion of a neurologist because the psychiatrist should not be treating you for epilepsy. A primary care doctor or neurologist is appropriate for treating epilepsy. However, because of your history and the question about differential diagnosis...unless you have an abnormal EEG... I would advise you to talk with the neurologist about an extended video EEG. This is the gold standard for diagnosing epilepsy vs. PNES. It can be harmful to your body to take anti epileptic drugs when you don’t need them and if you do have PNES...the great news is that many people become symptom free in less than a year without psychiatric medications after participation in psychotherapy. I know because like I said have treated clients who thought they had epilepsy, but in fact they had PNES and they went off their medication as a result of our work together. Here’s a helpful website about PNES written by other professionals that even includes a documentary about others who have similar experiences with PNES. I don’t agree with everything that they say about PNES because of my experience working it, but it’s based on their perspective. https://nonepilepticseizures.com/ Hope that helps!

I'm very thankful you for

Submitted by Ewind on Tue, 2019-11-05 - 01:10

I'm very thankful you for your response and advices. I think I didn't exactly explain my attacks. They aren't triggered or caused by fear, they are fear. For example yesterday my attack started by pushing TV power button. During 2-3 minutes I feel fear. It isn't like getting worried, it is pure fear. I am conscious at that time, I can listen, talk or walk. But I feel like that my mind is blurred a little and I'm not exactly there. Everything scares me during that time period. After 2 minutes everything is ok like it never happened. I will look for PNES too. Thank you very much...

Hi, Thank you so much for

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2019-11-05 - 06:42

Hi, Thank you so much for posting, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot. We cannot determine if these attacks you describe are seizures, or not. It's important that you’re following up with your healthcare provider to express your concerns and further describe these attacks you experienced, as well as,any increase feelings of depression, behaviors, symptoms and side effects. As Gianna mentioned in her comment it's good that you’re following up with a neurologist for additional diagnostics testing and that you’re continuing to see your psychiatrist for managing your depression. For information regarding second opinions, or assistance finding a specialist near you, please visit:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/you-and-your-healthcare-team/second-opinions https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/find-epilepsy-specialist Seizures can take on many different forms and affect different people in different ways. Learn more about seizures, here:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-happens-during-seizureReview our pages on PNES, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/imitators-epilepsy/psychogenic-nonepileptic-seizures-pnes-cause-diagnosis-andTo learn more about the medications your prescribed about seizure medication side effects, please visit: : https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects You may also want to consider keeping a journal or a diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, managing medications & side effects, setting reminders, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers,and other personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi, Thank you so much for posting, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot. We cannot determine if these attacks you describe are seizures, or not. It's important that you’re following up with your healthcare provider to express your concerns and further describe these attacks you experienced, as well as,any increase feelings of depression, behaviors, symptoms and side effects. As Gianna mentioned in her comment it's good that you’re following up with a neurologist for additional diagnostics testing and that you’re continuing to see your psychiatrist for managing your depression. For information regarding second opinions, or assistance finding a specialist near you, please visit:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/you-and-your-healthcare-team/second-opinions https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/find-epilepsy-specialist Seizures can take on many different forms and affect different people in different ways. Learn more about seizures, here:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-happens-during-seizureReview our pages on PNES, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/imitators-epilepsy/psychogenic-nonepileptic-seizures-pnes-cause-diagnosis-andTo learn more about the medications your prescribed about seizure medication side effects, please visit: : https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects You may also want to consider keeping a journal or a diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, managing medications & side effects, setting reminders, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers,and other personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline  

Hi, Thank you so much for posting, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot. We cannot determine if these attacks you describe are seizures, or not. It's important that you’re following up with your healthcare provider to express your concerns and further describe these attacks you experienced, as well as,any increase feelings of depression, behaviors, symptoms and side effects. As Gianna mentioned in her comment it's good that you’re following up with a neurologist for additional diagnostics testing and that you’re continuing to see your psychiatrist for managing your depression. For information regarding second opinions, or assistance finding a specialist near you, please visit:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/you-and-your-healthcare-team/second-opinions https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/find-epilepsy-specialist Seizures can take on many different forms and affect different people in different ways. Learn more about seizures, here:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-happens-during-seizureReview our pages on PNES, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/imitators-epilepsy/psychogenic-nonepileptic-seizures-pnes-cause-diagnosis-andTo learn more about the medications your prescribed about seizure medication side effects, please visit: : https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects You may also want to consider keeping a journal or a diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, managing medications & side effects, setting reminders, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers,and other personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline