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Seizure Because of Stress: The 5 Key Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

Seizures are a serious medical condition that can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress. In fact, stress is one of the most common triggers for seizures in people with epilepsy.

What is a seizure?

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. This disturbance can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

Loss of consciousness
Jerking movements
Staring
Confusion
Memory loss

What are the signs of a seizure caused by stress?

There are a number of signs that may indicate that a seizure is being caused by stress. These include:

The seizure occurs during or after a stressful event. Stressful events can include anything from a major life change to a minor annoyance.
The seizure is preceded by feelings of anxiety or panic. These feelings may be mild or severe.
The seizure is accompanied by other symptoms of stress, such as sweating, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath.
The seizure is not preceded by any other known trigger. If there is no other known trigger for the seizure, it is more likely to be caused by stress.
The person has a history of seizures that are triggered by stress. If someone has had seizures in the past that were triggered by stress, they are more likely to have another seizure triggered by stress in the future.

What to do if you think someone is having a seizure

If you think someone is having a seizure, it is important to stay calm and follow these steps:

seizure because of stress

Call 911. This is especially important if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, if the person is injured during the seizure, or if the person has never had a seizure before.
Protect the person from injury. Move any objects that could hurt the person out of their way.
Do not restrain the person. This can make the seizure worse.
Time the seizure. Note how long the seizure lasts.
Stay with the person until help arrives. Reassure the person and let them know that you are there for them.

How to prevent seizures caused by stress

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent seizures caused by stress. These include:

Seizure Because of Stress: The 5 Key Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

Managing stress. There are a number of things you can do to manage stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and talking to a therapist.
Avoiding triggers. If you know what triggers your seizures, you can try to avoid these triggers.
Taking medication. If you have epilepsy, your doctor may prescribe medication to help prevent seizures.

When to see a doctor

It is important to see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

What is a seizure?

You have a seizure for the first time.
Your seizures are becoming more frequent or severe.
Your seizures are affecting your daily life.
You are concerned about the cause of your seizures.

Conclusion

Seizures are a serious medical condition, but they can be managed with proper treatment. If you think you may be having seizures caused by stress, it is important to see a doctor right away.

Additional resources

Tables

Type of seizure	Symptoms	Treatment
Tonic-clonic seizure	Loss of consciousness, jerking movements, staring	Anti-seizure medication
Absence seizure	Brief loss of consciousness, staring	Anti-seizure medication
Myoclonic seizure	Brief, jerking movements	Anti-seizure medication
Atonic seizure	Sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the person to fall	Anti-seizure medication

Risk factors for seizures caused by stress	Symptoms	Treatment
Having epilepsy	Feeling anxious or panicked before a seizure	Managing stress, avoiding triggers, taking medication
Having a history of seizures	Feeling stressed or overwhelmed before a seizure	Managing stress, avoiding triggers, taking medication
Being under a lot of stress	Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable before a seizure	Managing stress, avoiding triggers, taking medication

Benefits of managing stress to prevent seizures	Risks of not managing stress to prevent seizures
Reduced risk of seizures	Increased risk of seizures
Improved quality of life	Worsened quality of life
Increased sense of control	Decreased sense of control

FAQs about seizures caused by stress	Answers
What are the most common triggers for seizures caused by stress?	Stressful events, such as major life changes, work stress, or relationship problems.
What are the signs that a seizure is being caused by stress?	The seizure occurs during or after a stressful event, the seizure is preceded by feelings of anxiety or panic, the seizure is accompanied by other symptoms of stress, and the seizure is not preceded by any other known trigger.
How can I prevent seizures caused by stress?	Manage stress, avoid triggers, and take medication.
What should I do if I think someone is having a seizure?	Call 911, protect the person from injury, do not restrain the person, time the seizure, and stay with the person until help arrives.
When should I see a doctor about seizures caused by stress?	If you have any of the following symptoms: You have a seizure for the first time, your seizures are becoming more frequent or severe, your seizures are affecting your daily life, or you are concerned about the cause of your seizures.