Can Trauma Cause Seizures?

The first time a seizure happened, we were on the phone with a family support worker who calmly told us to hang up and call 911. That was over two years ago, and since then, we’ve come to understand what we’re dealing with: Functional Neurological Disorder, specifically Paroxysmal Non-Epileptic Seizures. Seizures do not affect the brain with an electrical impulse like epilepsy. These seizures are often brief but can vary widely, with her experiencing anywhere from 2 to 30 seizures a day. Triggers like stress, flashbacks, loud noises, and unexpected events can bring them on, and the seizures can last from 30 seconds up to 45 minutes. In the moment, bilateral tapping and using an ice pack sometimes help, but not always. The more severe, longer, and more violent seizures remain a serious challenge, though I try to think of them as relatively safe aside from the repeated falls throughout the day. The path toward healing involves psychotherapy, addressing unresolved trauma, and working through emotions. It’s as if the brain’s fight-or-flight response is stuck and needs a reset to overcome this intense form of dissociation.

If you are experiencing this complex disorder, please take care of yourself so that you have the energy, strength and stamina to make it through without ending up burned out.

Here’s a great website to check out: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/functional-neurologic-disorder