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Non-epileptic convulsions
Seven years ago, at the age of 14, I began experiencing what seemed like tonic clonic epileptic seizures. I saw a neurologist and had many tests which ruled out epilepsy (there is no change in electrical activity in my brain during a convulsion). I was then referred to a psychiatrist and psychologist.
Last year, I received a diagnosis of "dissociative convulsions". In further discussion with my doctor, he has no experience in this field and no real idea how to proceed.
I experience approximately 2 of these convulsions every 3 days and they are destroying my life. No-one seems to know anything about them or be able to give me any hope for a "cure" etc.
I have also been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and with clinical depression. I'm taking 30mg Mirtazapine and 10mg olanzapine at the present time.
I'm 21 years old and feel like my life is over because I can't go out and do all the things I want to do. Having found out that my own doctor doesn't know anything much about the condition, I'm struggling.
I have a history of abuse and a friend has mentioned a possible link to ptsd with the convulsions.
What I really want to know is: is there any hope? Is there anything that I can do, or any drug that I can take, that will stop/reduce the convulsions? They scare me so much and nobody seems able to give me the hope I need to continue.
Last year, I received a diagnosis of "dissociative convulsions". In further discussion with my doctor, he has no experience in this field and no real idea how to proceed.
I experience approximately 2 of these convulsions every 3 days and they are destroying my life. No-one seems to know anything about them or be able to give me any hope for a "cure" etc.
I have also been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and with clinical depression. I'm taking 30mg Mirtazapine and 10mg olanzapine at the present time.
I'm 21 years old and feel like my life is over because I can't go out and do all the things I want to do. Having found out that my own doctor doesn't know anything much about the condition, I'm struggling.
I have a history of abuse and a friend has mentioned a possible link to ptsd with the convulsions.
What I really want to know is: is there any hope? Is there anything that I can do, or any drug that I can take, that will stop/reduce the convulsions? They scare me so much and nobody seems able to give me the hope I need to continue.
Majority of doctors tend to up up up and up the dosages of medications. I don't know why they do this, but if you think of illict street drugs, you do have to increase the dosage to get similar effects as your first dose. Meaning, the body seems to become tolerant of meds.
What I say is only my personal perspective, I'm not a doctor.
What I say is only my personal perspective, I'm not a doctor.
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION ADMITS
THERE IS NO TEST FOR "CHEMICAL IMBALANCE"
In an explosive admission, American psychiatric Association President Steven Sharfstein did a 180-degree turnaround from his TODAY show interview (June 27) and admitted that there is no way to test for a "chemical imbalance" as the cause for mental disorders. PEOPLE magazine (July 11), quoted Dr. Sharfstein conceding, "We do not have a clean-cut lab test."
Dr. Sharfstein is not alone. Elliot Valenstein, Ph.D. says, "[T]here are no tests available for assessing the chemical status of a living person's brain." The late Dr. Loren Mosher stated, "
THERE IS NO TEST FOR "CHEMICAL IMBALANCE"
In an explosive admission, American psychiatric Association President Steven Sharfstein did a 180-degree turnaround from his TODAY show interview (June 27) and admitted that there is no way to test for a "chemical imbalance" as the cause for mental disorders. PEOPLE magazine (July 11), quoted Dr. Sharfstein conceding, "We do not have a clean-cut lab test."
Dr. Sharfstein is not alone. Elliot Valenstein, Ph.D. says, "[T]here are no tests available for assessing the chemical status of a living person's brain." The late Dr. Loren Mosher stated, "
convulsions - violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
I have seen these in tourettes as well. I am not saying it is tourettes - I am saying it is important to look at the possibilities. I am not interested in arguing about the issues but am very open to discussing. Also I am saying what my experience has been and that they seem similar, not that they are the same. Nor do I speak for others - just how it is for me.
My experience started before the abuse did so I believe it is important to have it checked before ruling it out.
It is like someone thinking they must have a brain tumor because they have a headache so they assume everything is because of the headache - when really they have a sinus infection or just too much stress or maybe just didn't get enough sleep. Then memories have more power so it all looks like memories of abuse because a person is more vulnerable when they are feeling weaker. Abuse is full of disillusions - it is not our fault - it is what abuse does. If we are sorting things out so that we see what goes with what, we can give ourselves the sense of value we were destined to have.
guerrero2k3
why do you say not to take any medications? Is that how it is for you?
If I didn't take any meds I would be in hospital my whole life or I would not be here from hurting my self. Also I would not have my children or my good job - I would not be able to think. What is working for one person is not always the same for everyone. It is important to compare which treatment is better for each individual - not what works for one, works for all.
I have seen these in tourettes as well. I am not saying it is tourettes - I am saying it is important to look at the possibilities. I am not interested in arguing about the issues but am very open to discussing. Also I am saying what my experience has been and that they seem similar, not that they are the same. Nor do I speak for others - just how it is for me.
My experience started before the abuse did so I believe it is important to have it checked before ruling it out.
It is like someone thinking they must have a brain tumor because they have a headache so they assume everything is because of the headache - when really they have a sinus infection or just too much stress or maybe just didn't get enough sleep. Then memories have more power so it all looks like memories of abuse because a person is more vulnerable when they are feeling weaker. Abuse is full of disillusions - it is not our fault - it is what abuse does. If we are sorting things out so that we see what goes with what, we can give ourselves the sense of value we were destined to have.
guerrero2k3
why do you say not to take any medications? Is that how it is for you?
If I didn't take any meds I would be in hospital my whole life or I would not be here from hurting my self. Also I would not have my children or my good job - I would not be able to think. What is working for one person is not always the same for everyone. It is important to compare which treatment is better for each individual - not what works for one, works for all.
Abuse experiences and convulsions are the same thing.
Did you say.?
"Many times symptoms are marked by abuse experiences and we need to find ways to understand them and how to work with them."
This is true!!!!! But don't take drugs!! Drugs not cures!!
ABUSE EXPERIENCES FOLLOWING - CONVULSIONS - LITTLE CHILDREN WILL BECOME EXACTLY AS THEIR MOTHER.
TOURETTES IS NOT TRUE, IS ABUSE EXPERIENCES.
Clinical Psychology research.
Seattle, WA.
Did you say.?
"Many times symptoms are marked by abuse experiences and we need to find ways to understand them and how to work with them."
This is true!!!!! But don't take drugs!! Drugs not cures!!
ABUSE EXPERIENCES FOLLOWING - CONVULSIONS - LITTLE CHILDREN WILL BECOME EXACTLY AS THEIR MOTHER.
TOURETTES IS NOT TRUE, IS ABUSE EXPERIENCES.
Clinical Psychology research.
Seattle, WA.
Hi sophie, your experience is very interesting. I am having similar experiences. I am 42 now. My "convulsions" started when I was about 15. I am asking my doctor to check for tourettes - my son was diagnosed with tourettes when he was 8 years old. Some of my experience happened while in hospital so I was sent to a neurologist and also had a CAT scan done - like yourself it showed no seizure activity. I don't understand why my doctor didn't pursue it further at the time it happened in hospital. Maybe there wasn't enough information to go on.
I also experience muscle spasms, twitching, uncontrolled shrugging. My mom said, when I was young (preschool), that I often made strange faces and had strange body movement. I remember twitching around my eyes and mouth when I was very young. Sometimes visible and other times not. I was often bullied and made myself as invisible as possible so learned to hide these symptoms well - at least till I was some place by myself. I was also abused from the time I was 8 in various ways.But I think the abuse experiences and "convulsions" can be 2 separate things. I also have dissociative difficulties. They are not to the point where I am not remembering them. I have worked through many of my memories and feel that the 2 are not connected because the twitching happens even on days when I'm not really thinking much about the memories and having good days. Thinking back, the twitching started before the peak of the abuse was anywhere near. My report cards say I day dreamed a lot. The strange faces are in my school pics. I don't know why it hasn't been mentioned in a health setting before. Stressors like abuse memories can increase other uncomfortable activity like twitching, PMS, depression, etc. - things that may not be linked to the memories. Many times symptoms are masked by abuse experiences and we need to find ways to understand them and how to work with them. It is only after working through to a point where I can know I am a whole person that I am realizing that not everything is about abuse. I only hope my doc will support me in this. So far she has been very supportive in all my treatment. Not saying its tourettes - just asking to have it checked. It would be a relief to know what it is.
I understand that a neurological disorder can set in when abuse has been present but I think that not everything can be labeled abuse unless it is about abuse. It can be hard to separate the issues for a while sometimes. But keep on working at it. Try to remember earlier than 14. What did others say about you if they did. report cards, medical history. anyone. Then sort it out - how what fits with what. It will become clearer with time.
I hope this helps a little.
I also experience muscle spasms, twitching, uncontrolled shrugging. My mom said, when I was young (preschool), that I often made strange faces and had strange body movement. I remember twitching around my eyes and mouth when I was very young. Sometimes visible and other times not. I was often bullied and made myself as invisible as possible so learned to hide these symptoms well - at least till I was some place by myself. I was also abused from the time I was 8 in various ways.But I think the abuse experiences and "convulsions" can be 2 separate things. I also have dissociative difficulties. They are not to the point where I am not remembering them. I have worked through many of my memories and feel that the 2 are not connected because the twitching happens even on days when I'm not really thinking much about the memories and having good days. Thinking back, the twitching started before the peak of the abuse was anywhere near. My report cards say I day dreamed a lot. The strange faces are in my school pics. I don't know why it hasn't been mentioned in a health setting before. Stressors like abuse memories can increase other uncomfortable activity like twitching, PMS, depression, etc. - things that may not be linked to the memories. Many times symptoms are masked by abuse experiences and we need to find ways to understand them and how to work with them. It is only after working through to a point where I can know I am a whole person that I am realizing that not everything is about abuse. I only hope my doc will support me in this. So far she has been very supportive in all my treatment. Not saying its tourettes - just asking to have it checked. It would be a relief to know what it is.
I understand that a neurological disorder can set in when abuse has been present but I think that not everything can be labeled abuse unless it is about abuse. It can be hard to separate the issues for a while sometimes. But keep on working at it. Try to remember earlier than 14. What did others say about you if they did. report cards, medical history. anyone. Then sort it out - how what fits with what. It will become clearer with time.
I hope this helps a little.
Guerrero, why do you say to stop the medication? My doctor has just increased my dose of olanzapine and says it may help with other symptoms (not the convulsions).
I'm trying to get into a group with a psychotherapist but the waiting list is long.
I'm trying to get into a group with a psychotherapist but the waiting list is long.
There is no change in eletrical activity in the brain during a convulsion.?
Diagnosis: 1.- Dissociative convulsions.
2.- Borderline personality disorder.
3.- Clinial depression.
Medication: Mirtazapine y Olanzapine. DISCONTINUE.! NO MORE!!
============ This is not true.? ===============
A history of abuse.
Diagnosis: It,s a possible link to Post-Traumatic Stress.
COGNITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT.
Diagnosis: 1.- Dissociative convulsions.
2.- Borderline personality disorder.
3.- Clinial depression.
Medication: Mirtazapine y Olanzapine. DISCONTINUE.! NO MORE!!
============ This is not true.? ===============
A history of abuse.
Diagnosis: It,s a possible link to Post-Traumatic Stress.
COGNITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, there is hope, especially since it is a psychological rather than a brain disease. But you have to find the right doctor to help you, so start with your psychiatrist, and get a referral to a professor who works at your nearest medical center, who can work you up and find the right person on the staff to treat you.
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