Can Anxiety Cause Seizures?
May 17, 2024 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Anxiety itself does not directly cause seizures, but it can be a contributing factor for individuals with certain types of epilepsy or seizure disorders. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Stress and Anxiety as Triggers: For some people with epilepsy, stress and anxiety can act as triggers for seizures. This is not because anxiety causes the seizures directly, but because stress can lower the seizure threshold, making a person more susceptible to having a seizure.
- Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES): Anxiety and other psychological factors can contribute to psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), which are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but do not have a neurological basis. PNES are often related to psychological stress or trauma and are a manifestation of psychological distress rather than a direct result of electrical brain activity typical of epileptic seizures.
- Co-Occurrence: Individuals with epilepsy often experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. The stress from dealing with a chronic condition like epilepsy can contribute to increased anxiety, which in turn may affect seizure control.
- Biological and Chemical Links: There may be underlying biological or chemical links between anxiety and seizures. For instance, changes in neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry related to anxiety disorders can potentially influence seizure activity.
It’s essential for individuals experiencing seizures or severe anxiety to seek medical advice. A healthcare provider can help determine the cause of the seizures and recommend appropriate treatments or coping strategies for managing anxiety.