Anxiety is a perfectly normal response to a stressful situation, and it often goes away when the problem has passed. But people can sometimes feel excessively anxious - even when there is no obvious danger. This is known as an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the USA. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, almost 20% of American adults experience anxiety problems each year. And anxiety is particularly common for people with epilepsy - four people in 10 with epilepsy may have an anxiety disorder.
Let’s learn more about anxiety and seizures.
What is an anxiety disorder?
While feeling anxious is perfectly normal during stressful periods, sometimes people can feel anxious most - or even all - of the time. This is known as an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can cause many different symptoms, including some of the following:
Mind
- Constantly feeling worried
- Trouble concentrating
- Poor sleep
- Feeling easily tired
- Feeling easily annoyed
- A sense of doom or panic
- Difficulty controlling worries
- Feeling restless
- Low mood
Body
- Fast or irregular heartbeats
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Muscle tension
- Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
- Feeling sick or dizzy
- Stomach problems (e.g., pain, indigestion, diarrhea)
- Trembling or shaking
- Lightheadedness
Can anxiety cause seizures?
There is no definitive evidence that anxiety can cause seizures. But anxiety itself may raise your stress levels, and stress is widely believed to be a major trigger of epileptic seizures.
Learn more: 7 common seizure triggers
Anxiety and seizures: a complex relationship
It is common for people with epilepsy to experience psychiatric disorders such as anxiety. There are several ways that anxiety and seizures may interact with each other, and the exact relationship between the two is not always clear:
- Anxiety after epilepsy diagnosis: People may feel anxious when they are diagnosed with a new medical condition.
- Fear of seizures: Seizures are highly stressful and unpredictable events. Not knowing when they might ‘strike’ may cause people to worry.
- Stress and seizures: Feeling highly stressed is generally seen as a trigger for epileptic seizures.
- Anxiety after seizures: It is also common for people to feel intense feelings of anxiety in the aftermath of a seizure. This could be because of chemicals released in the brain during the seizure. But it could also be related to social factors (people might feel embarrassed of losing control in front of others).
- Anti-seizure medication side effects: Some anti-seizure medications can cause people to feel anxious. If you notice this, speak with your physician - they can advise you on what to do.
Panic attack / anxiety or seizure?
A panic attack or anxiety attack is an extreme form of anxiety that causes severe physical reactions. These can include heart palpitations, sweating, trembling and shaking, headaches, dizziness, hot flashes and chills. They are accompanied by a feeling of intense fear.
Many of these symptoms can appear similar to epileptic seizures. However a panic attack is not the same as an epileptic seizure (seizures are caused by unusual electrical discharges in the brain).
If you are unsure if you are having panic attacks / anxiety or seizures it is important to seek medical help.
Related: The difference between epileptic and dissociative seizures
Anxiety and seizures treatment
If you notice that you are feeling anxious for an extended period of time and there is no specific cause of the feelings, speak with your doctor. There are various treatments for people with epilepsy who have anxiety disorders, including:
- Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Medication
Your doctor may also suggest other solutions, including going to epilepsy support groups or using self-calming techniques - such as breathing methods, physical exercise and things like yoga.
Anxiety can feel overwhelming. But remember, it is treatable and with the support of your doctor, you may be able to overcome these feelings.
