Just diagnosed - Advice?

Hi all. I’ve just been diagnosed with dissociative seizures and have been referred to a neuropsychiatrist for treatment. It’s taken them 15 years to agree what it is, and now I’ve been left hanging again waiting for them to contact me again. I am also going to be participating in the CODES trials provided the psych evaluation is clear.



I am currently receiving explorative (psycho)therapy /counseling for a variety of different issues (which seems to act as a trigger) and one concern I have is I may be asked to cease this which I don’t want to do.


I was just wondering what to expect next? It’s a bit of a catch 22 in that the stress of all this happening is making the seizures more common.


Thanks
J

I see by your profile you are in the UK. here in America we do not have the diagnosis of dissociative seizures. thats not saying it doesnt exist, just that we call them by another name and place them in a different category. here its called non epileptic seizures and most times listed with medical disorders not mental disorders. the reason america does this is because most times if not always there is some sort of medical reason behind the non epileptic (or in your words dissociative ) seizures. example low blood sugar can cause a non epileptic or in your words a dissociative seizure. my non epileptic seizures are from my medications, MS (multiple Sclerosis), Anemia, and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)

I have found that since America has to rule out seizure disorders for diagnosis of dissociative disorders and a huge amount or information on dissociative disorders comes from america, in order to find information on what you call dissociative seizures, I have had to search for information using the terms ....non epileptic seizures... and what ever medical problems I have.

I cant tell you what will happen next in the UK but here in America when a person is showing signs of any type of seizures there are all kinds of medical and mental health evaluations and depending upon the results of those tests depends on treatment options. I am on medication and therapy for my non epileptic seizures. what that means is I take meds twice a day and I talk with my therapist to help alleviate triggers (stress, anxiety ) and other treatments based on what causes my non epileptic seizures example for the low blood sugar I have a special diet and exercise routine I must follow.

I'm sorry that I can't help you sweety, but maybe someone else here can. I just want to say that I hope it all goes well for you, and some of it does sound promising. Good luck!

Hi, thanks. Over here they do call then non-epileptic seizures sometimes too, and dissociative 'episodes', changes Dr to Dr. I have several medical issues that contribute (we think) including chronic pain that seems to be a trigger. I see what you mean about a lot of the research being in the U.S. Maybe that's why they are doing trials over here. Do u mind me asking which meds they prescribed? Also what sort if therapist do you see? (Ie psychiatrist, psychodynamic...

Thanks

I take many medications...antianxiety, antidepressants, corticosteroids,....in shortit all depends upon what the trigger is for the non epileptic seizures...for example for the anxiety related ones I take anti anxiety medications...right now one of the antianxiety meds that I am on is niravam

Im not going to list them all because what works for one person may not work for another. the best way to go about it is to work with your own treatment providers and you will through the process discover what works for your non epileptic seizures.

the type of therapist I see is a state licensed clinical social worker. here in New York all therapists are either state certified or state licensed clinical social workers. She does not limit herself to one or two ways of doing therapy. she works according to what ever problems her clients have. example if Im having problems at work then our sessions revolve around figuring out those problems, if Im having problems with depersonalization or other dissociative problems then our sessions revolve around things like grounding, relaxation, meditation, mindfulness,

my suggestion is dont worry about what kind of therapist to see, think about what your problem areas are and what you need to fix those problems in your life so that you will feel better. the thing about therapy approaches is that for some people one therapy approach/technique will work and for another that same one wont work for them. best to discover what works for you.

This is promising. My neurologist wasn’t a fan of the meditation & mindfulness, whereas my current T is. By the sounds of it the T and psychiatrist (who will do CBT and meds) could work well for me. So long as they play nice together Also work with current T is about uncovering the problems so that sounds like it’s going to be even more helpful once I start treatment.


Feeling a bit better now, and even more determined to stick with current T even if shrink doesn’t like it :P


Thanks