Have you ever heard of the illness known as pseudo-epilepsy? In the following article, you will learn about the most important things you need to know about it.
Pseudoseizures, also called Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), is a condition that leads to seizures similar to epileptic seizures , but its causes are often psychological. The following article has further information:
Pseudo-epilepsy
Although the symptoms of pseudo-epileptic seizures are similar to those of epileptic seizures, their origins are different. A issue with the cerebral neuronal activity is the cause of true epilepsy. As for the liar, its causes are usually psychological.
Its various potential origins are due to the fact that it is one of the organic signs of mental diseases.
Since they are misdiagnosed as having epilepsy, the percentage of people with this ailment is thought to be around 20% of all epileptics. Women are three times more prone to get it than males.
Symptoms of pseudoepilepsy
The following are examples of pseudo-epilepsy symptoms that are frequently comparable to generalised epileptic seizures (GES):
- Convulsions.
- Screaming or making strange noises.
- Stiffness in the body.
- Trembling movements or convulsions.
- Falling down.
- Loss of consciousness .
- Upon recovering consciousness, confusion or disorientation may occur.
- bladder control issues (involuntary urination).
- Biting the tongue.
Its symptoms can occasionally match those of partial seizures, which include the following signs and symptoms:
- Making jerky movements.
- Performing repetitive movements regularly.
- Tingling sensation in the body.
- dizziness or a feeling of fullness in the stomach.
- Staring into emptiness.
- Confusion and confusion.
- Change in feelings and emotions.
- changes in the senses
Causes of pseudo-epilepsy
Among the causes of pseudo-epilepsy:
- enduring a situation that is beyond the mental capacity for endurance
When the brain is unable to handle one or more of the following, pseudo-epilepsy develops.
- thoughts.
- memories.
- feelings.
- physical sensations
It may also happen as a result of past trauma that was more than a person could handle or exposure to extremely stressful psychological conditions.
- having a few mental illnesses
It may be caused by some mental illnesses, such as the following:
- generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic attacks - PA.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- addiction.
- exposure to mental health issues
This is caused by a number of psychological issues, such as the following:
- Family problems and disputes.
- Constant bouts of anger and not confronting them with healthy methods to control anger.
- Psychological problems resulting from physical or verbal abuse.
Pseudo-epilepsy diagnosis
The best way to diagnose this ailment is via an electroencephalogram (EEG), which reveals whether or not the patient has issues with brain processes.
If nothing goes wrong with this planning, the neurologist asks to see the patient's symptoms on video while they are occurring during a pseudo-epilepsy seizure. He then usually consults a psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis and conducts an interview with the patient to determine whether the symptoms are psychological in nature.
Pseudo-epilepsy treatment
The first and most crucial step in selecting the best course of treatment is understanding the underlying aetiology of pseudo-epilepsy. The following methods are among the most prominent methods used in treating this condition, bearing in mind that their effectiveness varies from one patient to another:
1. Psychological counseling
This can be done either with family support or with the injured person's sole support.
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Additionally, behavioural therapy is included, among which is relaxation therapy.
3. Eye movement-based desensitisation and reprocessing
This technique is a non-verbal psychotherapy technique.
4. Pharmacological treatment
The effectiveness of anti-epileptic pharmaceuticals in treating pseudo-epilepsy is unknown at this time, but mood-disorder treatments may be helpful.