Nonepileptic seizures

Non-epileptic seizures are confusing. Your seizures are very real, yet anti-epileptic medicine isn’t working. Patients come across the country for care from Spectrum Health specialists. We’ll evaluate your medical history to define an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan specific to you. 

Unlike epileptic seizures, non-epileptic psychogenic seizures are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They usually represent the body's physical response to stressful thoughts and experiences. One in five people diagnosed with epilepsy are found to have non-epileptic seizures. Your doctor will determine the underlying issue and treat you appropriately.

It may have come as a surprise when your doctor told you that your seizures were not caused by epilepsy. Though non-epileptic seizures are easily confused with epilepsy, treating your condition requires a different approach. Our team of epileptologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers work collaboratively with you to create the right treatment plan. 

Non-epileptic seizures are a physical way for your body to express what your mouth or mind cannot. You and your care team work together to treat a physical reaction to trauma. Because you're experiencing real seizures, medication and psychotherapy can also help treat non-epileptic seizures.