Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Part I The woman with epilepsy
- Part II Epilepsy diagnosis and treatment
- 5 The genetics of epilepsy
- 6 Epilepsy: epidemiology, definitions, and diagnostic procedures
- 7 Antiepileptic drugs and other treatments for epilepsy
- 8 Epilepsy in children and adolescents
- 9 Nonepileptic seizures
- Part III Hormones and the brain
- Part IV Health challenges for women with epilepsy
- Part V Family planning, pregnancy, and parenting
- Part VI Living well with epilepsy
- Appendix: The Epilepsy Foundation's Campaign for Women's Health: bringing help and hope to women with epilepsy
- Index
- References
9 - Nonepileptic seizures
from Part II - Epilepsy diagnosis and treatment
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 November 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Part I The woman with epilepsy
- Part II Epilepsy diagnosis and treatment
- 5 The genetics of epilepsy
- 6 Epilepsy: epidemiology, definitions, and diagnostic procedures
- 7 Antiepileptic drugs and other treatments for epilepsy
- 8 Epilepsy in children and adolescents
- 9 Nonepileptic seizures
- Part III Hormones and the brain
- Part IV Health challenges for women with epilepsy
- Part V Family planning, pregnancy, and parenting
- Part VI Living well with epilepsy
- Appendix: The Epilepsy Foundation's Campaign for Women's Health: bringing help and hope to women with epilepsy
- Index
- References
Summary
Epileptic seizures are transient events of altered neurological function that occur because of paroxysmal brain electrical activity. Other events of altered neurological function may look very much like seizures, but are not caused by electrical brain activity. Epileptic seizure-like events may be caused by changes in blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, or by changes in blood sugar. Emotional triggers may also cause transient epileptic seizure-like events. Stress, depression, and anxiety may cause physical symptoms that closely resemble seizures. In fact, it may not be possible for a physician to tell the difference between an emotionally triggered seizure – called a psychogenic seizure – and an epileptic seizure unless an electroencephalogram (EEG) can be recorded during the event. The EEG shows brain electrical activity and will differentiate epileptic and nonepileptic seizures.
Dr Steven Schachter is Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and an epileptologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is Chair of the Professional Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation.
In this chapter, Dr Schachter deals with nonepileptic seizures, drawing from his knowledge of the field and his own personal experience caring for individuals with this condition. Diagnosis may be difficult, but is especially important in order to ensure that the right kind of treatment is provided.
MJMWhat are nonepileptic seizures?
Nonepileptic seizures are behavioral events that look to other people like epileptic seizures or are events that create internal sensations that may also occur in people who have epileptic seizures.
Keywords
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- Information
- Women with EpilepsyA Handbook of Health and Treatment Issues, pp. 89 - 98Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003