How Is Anxiety Related To Epilepsy
Anxiety can be quite significant in the life of a person with epilepsy. In any medical illness, people may become anxious after the diagnosis of their condition. But anxiety is also related to epilepsy in more specific ways. It can occur not only as a reaction to the diagnosis, but also as a symptom of the epilepsy or as a side effect of seizure medicines.
Spine And Dendrite And Cell Morphology
Hayashi and colleagues reported that rats exposed to prenatal stress had a significant 32% reduction in synaptic density within the hippocampal CA3 area, as measured on postnatal day 35 . Lemaire et al. reported a reduction in the number of granule cells within the hippocampal dentate gyrus of prenatally stressed rats measured 28 days postnatally.
Who Has Dissociative Seizures
Dissociative seizures can happen to anyone, at any age, although some factors make dissociative seizures more likely. Dissociative seizures are:
- more common in women
- more likely to start in young adults
- more likely to happen to people who have had an injury or disease or who have had severe emotional upset or stressful life events
- more common in people with other psychiatric conditions .
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Stress Primes The Brain To Depression
The mechanisms of stress are complex and not fully clarified. Exposure to stress induces peripheral immune cells to release danger signals, such as the alarmin HMGB1 . In the first hit, HMGB1 sensitizes/primes microglia, the resident brain immune cells, to display a potentiated pro-inflammatory response to a subsequent insult . Previous studies demonstrated that stress exacerbates microglial activation when followed by a subsequent insult, and worsens brain injury in stress-sensitive regions, such as the hippocampus, suggesting the presence of a primed pro-inflammatory microglial phenotype that affects pathological hallmarks of neurological disease . This primed microglial phenotype is characterized by an increased immune machinery involved in an inflammatory response such as the NOD-like receptors however, in the absence of a second hit, primed microglia do not release pro-inflammatory cytokines . Furthermore, HMGB1 triggers primed microglia to upregulate the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a complex required for pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Subsequent seizures activate primed microglia and promote the inflammasome complex assemblage, and caspase-1 cleaves pro-IL-1, resulting in secretion of mature IL-1 and leading to a potentiated inflammatory response and the development of spontaneous seizures .
How Can I Manage My Stress Levels
We all manage stress differently. A recent study of people suffering from stress-related seizures found that 90% of the people who took concrete steps to actively manage the stress in their lives believed it had reduced their seizure risk. Basically, if there is stress in your life, you should make a personal plan to make the situation better or to avoid it.
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Neuroinflammation And Acute Stress In Epilepsy
The neuroinflammation associated with exposure to acute stress is important to examine as a potential mechanism by which stress results in greater seizure susceptibility. In this review, neuroinflammation refers to the transient but robust inflammatory response in the central nervous system characterized by a change in expression of inflammatory mediators including cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, prostaglandins, prostaglandin-ethanolamides, pro-inflammatory enzymes as well as gliosis, all as a result of enhanced seizure activity. The change in the levels of these mediators persists for days to weeks following the precipitating event. The robust inflammatory mediator burst in the brain following status epilepticus is presumed to cause secondary damage in the brain and increase the likelihood of repetitive seizures contributing to epileptogenesis. Therefore, reducing neuroinflammation via anti-inflammatory therapy following status epilepticus may prevent the development of spontaneous recurrent seizures or alter the severity of epilepsy.
Can Anxiety Cause Aphasia
Anxiety is not responsible for causing aphasia, instead, it is caused by damage or injury to the brain in the areas related to the production or comprehension of speech and it can result in the inability to read or write. However, aphasia can also come on gradually if there is a brain tumour or if you have a neurodegenerative disease. The severity will depend on a number of factors, including the extent of brain damage and the potential cause.
As indicated by the Mayo Clinic, Once the cause has been addressed, the main treatment for aphasia is speech and language therapy. The person with aphasia relearns and practices language skills and learns to use other ways to communicate. Family members often participate in the process, helping the person communicate.
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Can Anxiety Cause Seizures
As mentioned, anxiety is the human bodys natural reaction to threats or danger. On the other hand, seizures are brief periods characterized by uncontrolled electrical brain activity that provokes various changes in the human body. Seizures are caused by a wide range of triggers, including stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety can trigger a condition called psychogenic non-epileptic seizures or pseudoseizures in people without epilepsy.
What Causes Dissociative Seizures
We all react to frightening or stressful situations differently. When we are frightened we might feel physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat or a sweaty feeling. When we feel sad, we might cry. So how we feel emotionally can sometimes cause a physical reaction.
An extremely frightening or upsetting experience may be so emotionally difficult for some people to think about that they cannot consciously cope with how this makes them feel.
In some cases, we will unconsciously hide or ‘repress’ the memory of these experiences. These memories may always remain hidden and we may never remember the events that have happened.
For some people, the memories of these painful past events can suddenly come up or ‘intrude’ into their thoughts or awareness. This might happen during an emotional or stressful situation or when there is something in the environment that unconsciously triggers a distressing memory.
Dissociative seizures can happen as a cut-off mechanism to prevent bad memories being relived. The person splits off from their feelings about the experience because it is too difficult to cope with. The seizure happens because their emotional reaction causes a physical effect.
These seizures are an unconscious reaction so they are not deliberate and the person has no control over them.
- major accidents
- severe emotional upset
- psychological stress
- difficult relationships
- physical or sexual abuse
- being bullied.
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What Does A Stress Seizure Look Like
Typically, the cat will do a bellow or deep meow because they know something isnt feeling right. They feel scared and are asking for help. This follows the cat either lying down or clasping over. They will tense their legs pretty stiffly and followed by this they usually become unresponsive. They may roll their eyes back, have their mouth open, and tense their neck as well. This usually only lasts 20 seconds to a minute long. As they come out of it, they will look exhausted and this is because they are. Some may go to walk only to lay back down after a few feet. It is very important to provide your cat with the opportunity to rest. Make sure they eat and/or drink shortly after this. They may need to rest several hours before they are feeling better so keep things peaceful around them.
Signs and symptoms to look for with serious medical problems:
- No appetite, not eating or drinking
- Wetting themselves before, during, or after the seizure
- Excessive panting
- Signs of stomach or abdomen pain
- Hiding/wanting to be left alone
- Disorientation after the seizure has stopped
- Multiple seizures happening in a short amount of time
When to see a Veterinarian
If your cat is experiences anything from the above list, it is very important to take them to the vet ASAP. Those are common symptoms of Feline Pancreatitis which has a high fatality rate when left untreated.
What Is A Trigger Of Dog Seizures
Simply put, a trigger is the source of your dogs seizure. It is the factor, inside or outside of the dogs body, that causes a seizure to occur. There are plenty of potential seizure triggers including the environment, things around the house, foods, medications and of course, stress. The trigger can often be difficult to identify, but in order for something to qualify as a trigger, it has to have happened within 30 hours of your dogs seizure. The only exception to this is vaccinations, which can trigger a seizure up to 45 days after administration.
In an effort to reduce the chances of your dog having a seizure, you can try to avoid the things mentioned below.
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Other Forms Of Treatment
Psychotherapy is the recommended treatment for dissociative seizures. Psychotherapy is the name for a group of different talking therapies . Mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychologists, are trained in different forms of psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is often recommended. CBT looks at how you think about things, how this affects you physically and emotionally, and how it affects what you do . By changing the way you think about things, such as how you think about yourself, other people, and the world around you, this may change the way that you behave. CBT tends to focus on how things ar affecting you in the present, and ways to help you to view current situations more positively, and cope with stressful events.
CBT can take several months or longer as it may take time for you to feel comfortable talking about your experiences and feelings.
See more about epilepsy treatment.
The Complex Relationship Between Stress And Seizures
Actress Melanie Griffith recently revealed that she was diagnosed with epilepsy following a string of seizures over a period of 20 years. Speaking at an event to raise awareness for Womens Brain Health Initiative, Griffith said, Every seizure that I had was at a point when I was extremely stressed.
Griffith said she now has her condition under control with medication and hasnt had a seizure in four years, which she partly attributes to the fact that shes not stressed anymore.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3 million adults and 470,000 children in the U.S. have epilepsy, with 150,000 new cases diagnosed every year.
For about half of people with epilepsy, the cause is unknown. In others, there are a few risk factors that are associated with epilepsy, including genetics, head injuries, brain tumors, developmental disorders, and infectious diseases .
Stress, on the other hand, has not been identified as a risk factor for epilepsy, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some association between the two.
While stress isnt known to cause epilepsy, its possible it could trigger a seizure in someone who already has epilepsy, Emily Levin, M.D., a neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan who specializes in epilepsy treatment, tells SELF. That said, evidence proving that stress triggers seizures in people with epilepsy is also sparse.
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Environmental Triggers Of Dog Seizures
Your dogs environment can play a large role in seizure episodes. While a dogs environment involves your home as well, this section will focus on the potential environmental triggers your dog may encounter outside.
Dogs love to be outside. From walks to the dog park, to just sitting out in the backyard, the outdoors will be a big part of your dogs life. Unfortunately, there are many things found outdoors that can potentially trigger a seizure in dogs.
Think about your own yard and garden and neighborhood. You and your neighbors may use lawn treatments and fertilizers to get that plush, green lawn of your dreams. And while they might be great for your yard, these products may contain toxins harmful to your dog, and can even trigger a seizure. Herbicides and insecticides are other chemicals often used around the yard that can be potential triggers of seizures in dogs.
Other risk factors found in the yard, such as cedar shavings, can also be harmful to your dog. In addition, many flowers and plants are poisonous to dogs, which can also cause a seizure. The ASPCA has provided a list of plants that are toxic to dogs.
What you can do: For your own home, try to only use lawn and yard products that are animal-friendly, to ensure that you dont trigger your own dogs seizure with these potentially harmful products. There are plenty of yard and garden treatment products that are dog-friendly, and it should be easy to find on the label.
Can Stress Cause Seizures In Dogs
Daisy Responds: Stress certainly can trigger seizures in susceptible dogs. And, for some dogs, grooming is stressful, given the bathing, noisy blow dryers and unfamiliar dogs nearby.
9 other answers
Stress is actually the number one cause of seizures in humans, but less prevalent in dogs. However, there are several factors that can cause your dog physical and emotional Stress or anxiety. Sudden changes to your dog’s diet or routine can also cause stress that may trigger a seizure.
Stress is actually the number one cause of seizures in humans, but less prevalent in dogs. However, there are several factors that can cause your dog physical and emotional stress or anxiety. The physical stress factors that trigger seizures in dogs are very similar to those seen in humans. A big one is fatigue.
Anxiety will not cause seizures in a dog that is not epileptic. If the dog has epilepsy any stressful event can trigger a seizure. I have seen dogs walk into the clinic, get scared and drop and have a seizure.
Even a trip to the groomer can cause enough stress to trigger a seizure. We have also discovered, after extensive research and a consultation with our vet, that stress can trigger seizures. The…
What Causes Seizures in Dogs. Dog seizures can be caused by trauma, exposure to toxins, brain tumors, genetic abnormalities, issues with the dogs blood or organs, or a number of other reasons. Other times, seizures may sometimes occur for unknown reasons called idiopathic.
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Can Stress Cause Seizures
A seizure is a brief period of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can provoke a wide variety of changes in the body. Epilepsy is a chronic condition that causes unpredictable, recurrent seizures.
Seizures can occur due to a variety of triggers, including increased stress and anxiety. However, the Epilepsy Foundation suggests that its hard to know exactly how often stress triggers seizures. This is because stress has different meanings among different people.
Even in people without epilepsy, stress and anxiety can trigger PNES, which are also known as pseudoseizures. PNES are physiologically different from the neurological seizures found in epilepsy.
Although PNES and neurological seizures may appear similar, there are some differences in symptoms between the two conditions.