Behavior Changes

  A friend describes a sudden onset of frightening "psychotic-like" episodes which are somewhat hard to describe. These episodes occurred several times daily over a period of 5 years. They would come with no warning and would terrify her until they passed and she felt "normal" again. She described feeling of things appearing much further away than they actually were and out of body type experiences. This person is very stable appearing and acting and has never used drugs. She did not seek medical attention.
  The real problem actually occurred when they stopped. She remembers feeling it acutely when it happened. It felt as though something in her brain just "shut off" and (this is not a joke) feels she has had some  brain damage, or that is what it feels like. She feels totally different than she ever did before - sort of "numb" and as if something is terribly wrong. She is having a very hard time getting the 2 doctors she has seen to take her seriously. Is it possible whatever caused the episodes could have resulted in brain damage or could there be a problem somewhere else - could something be cutting off circulation to part of the brain (reaching I'm sure). Are there any tests that you can recommend. She absolutely does not believe she is clinically depressed and that anti-depressants would help or she would be happy to take them.
  It literally feels as though that part of the brain is not receiving signals. If anyone has heard of anything like this before (even if it is bad news) she is desperate to, if nothing else, understand what has happened. However, if there is something that can be done to make her feel right again - it would be a miracle. Thank you for your help.
The symptoms that you are describing, could represent a type of seizure (complex partial-associated with impaired consciousness or simple partial-without loss oc consiousness). They can be associated with various types of "psychic" experiences including "dyscognitive states", that is, feelings of depersonalization.  If your friend returns back to "normal" after the spells and there is not progression in the last five years, you can probably be assured that there is not an active process causing "damage" or changes in "blood flow" with each one of these spells.  However, if your friend has not been evaluated by a neurologist, I would recommend that you do so.  An MRI scan is an imaging study that takes pictures of your brain may be helpful in identifying and abnormal changes (if present).  An EEG records electrical potentials produced by the brain and may be a helpful test as well. I hope this gives you some direction.  If you are interested in getting an evaluation at the CCF, call 1-800-CCF-CARE. Ask for the neurology appointments secratary.