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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.

Complex PTSD and Epilepsy

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Perth, AU

Is there a Symptoms from Epilepsy on having complex PTSD. Although I'm doing EMDR that is helping but having this is deliberating illness in there other ways to help. me with this symptoms for PTSD

February 25
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MyEpilepsyTeam

How does epilepsy relate to complex PTSD, and what additional support might help beyond EMDR therapy?

While the search results don't specifically address complex PTSD, they do show important connections between epilepsy and mental health that may be relevant to your experience.

Epilepsy and mental health conditions often Show Full Answer

How does epilepsy relate to complex PTSD, and what additional support might help beyond EMDR therapy?

While the search results don't specifically address complex PTSD, they do show important connections between epilepsy and mental health that may be relevant to your experience.

Epilepsy and mental health conditions often occur together. Research shows that both traumatic brain injury (which can cause epilepsy) and epilepsy itself can significantly affect emotional well-being and quality of life.

Mental health support is considered vital for proper epilepsy care. A medical team that can recognize and treat mental health diagnoses alongside epilepsy is important for comprehensive treatment.

Several factors can lower your seizure threshold and make managing epilepsy harder:
- Chronic or heightened stress
- Not getting adequate high-quality sleep
- Emotional pressure or fatigue

It's encouraging that EMDR is helping you. Beyond continuing that therapy, consider discussing with your healthcare team:
- Comprehensive mental health care that addresses both your epilepsy and PTSD symptoms
- Stress management techniques
- Sleep quality improvement strategies
- A coordinated care approach between your neurologist and mental health provider

The connection between stress, mental health, and seizure management means addressing your PTSD symptoms may actually help with epilepsy management too.

February 25
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I have absence seizures for 50 years with a couple of collapsing. My neurologists couldn't put a finger on when I described the seizures. They put me in hospital for 5 days in a VEM unit. After that they said none of the seizures, when I pressed the button, were epileptic. The psychiatrist said they were results of C-ptsd called pnes. They appeared like absence seizures. She said Just a smell, word, something out the corner of my eye could set me off. Then I went to a fantastic psychotherapist diagnosed me with adhd did emdr and she reduced my PNES seizures. Won't reduce epileptic seizures.

February 25

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