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Real members of MyEpilepsyTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭

For those of you that have stress as a trigger:
How long does it take after the initial stressor for you to have a seizure?
Instantaneous? Hours? Next day?

November 19, 2025
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Stress is one of my biggest triggers and sometimes is a matter of hours. Sometimes days.

November 19, 2025
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I would have to be super stressed , angry , and frustrated .
Average stress doesn’t trigger my seizures

November 19, 2025
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

It depends on the stress. If it's related to anxiety or OCD, it can be immediate or it can be a few days after the anxiety builds up. If it's stress from PTSD, it depends on what type of trauma caused the PTSD flare up.

November 19, 2025
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

This is a pretty good question. The only time I have had this happen was when I had my last TC. When it happened, I found the anxiety to seizure took just over 13 hrs to play out. I don't mean that as in I had a 13 hr seizure I basically had anxiety the night before (I won't say why) then woke up it was better but not great, I fixed the issue then got the sudden relief feeling you get, but I didn't realize it was far to late and a few hrs later I had the TC. At the time I didn't even think about risks or anything until after it happened.

I will say though the main reasons I had this happen looking back:
- at the time it was a long period of very high anxiety
- poor sleep and poor sleep habits
- dehydrated (never had enough water)

November 19, 2025
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Suffering stress, my seizures, start immediately. From N. Ireland

November 19, 2025

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