Scary experience last night...help?

Hi all,

Last night at about 1 am, I was playing around on the internet when I came across a very strange Youtube video. It was part of a Pokemon episode from the late 90s that had been banned in Japan because its flashing bright lights gave many children seizures. In bad judgement, I decided to watch the clip to see what it was about. It started off alright, but at the part where Pikachu's tail destroyed the missiles (you 90s kids probably know exactly what I'm talking about), the whole screen lit up with quickly alternating red and purple lights. At that moment, something incredibly strange and scary happened. It felt as though I was losing consciousness or something, I felt very dizzy and like I was going to pass out. I dropped the computer and ran into the room where my parents were watching TV. A few minutes later they went to bed, and I returned to my room. After a minute, I was having these same sensations again, and it felt like a panic attack. I was so scared because my heart was racing and I have high blood pressure..I thought it would never calm down. I slept with my mom last night just because I was so terrified. For the next hour before I fell asleep, I kept having little "episodes" like this, where it would feel like part of me was being pulled from consciousness, and I would feel dizzy. I woke up an hour ago and still notice the same thing, just not as intense.

What the heck happened to me last night? I have no prior history of epilepsy, but I do have light sensitivities and have had panic attacks in the past, years ago. Was this just an anxiety attack brought on by extreme overstimulation? I've never reacted to visual stimuli like this before.

Only you can prevent neurotypical jerkiness!

I don't know. I've never heard of anything like that. I know that that episode sent 600 kids to the hospital when it was first aired... i would guess it is caused by your light sensitivity, just because I hear that that scene is so... flashy.
I've always wanted to see that episode myself... Could you give me a link to it? I'm assuming you watched it online.

((((Indie's)))) I am sorry that happened to you. From what I understand, people that are photosensitive can be triggered by alternating patterns of different colors and to intense strobe lights...in this particular instance, it was discovered that a specific anime technique was too instense and caused the illness.

Feel better

I don't want to post a direct link because Youtube will start playing the video as soon as I click the link to copy it. If you google Electric Soldier Porygon, it's the first video, some 20 seconds long.

I researched this phenomenon and there is a name for it - flicker vertigo. I just don't know why I'm still feeling it today.

Only you can prevent neurotypical jerkiness!

Sweetie, it made 700 people ill enough to go to hospital. If you are still feeling vertigo, you may want to call your md and ask about an otc med that will help with the symptoms. I get vertigo from time to time and it is awful

If you are concerned or worried, probably best to contact your doctor. Also, I am sure your parents will take you. Driving isnt such a great idea with this type of thing.

Thank you Rose (((hug)))....I think what I'm dealing with now isn't the vertigo itself but rather my resulting anxiety over the possibility that I could have a seizure. I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack at any time and it's scary. I'll bring it up with my therapist the next time I see her - unfortunately, 3 weeks from now. It's not an emergency but I just wish I'd stop having that dizzy, sinking feeling.

Only you can prevent neurotypical jerkiness!

Indie, how are you feeling today?

My son had focal seizures as a kid when playing one particular Game Boy game. His EEG was normal (without the game) so we took the game away and had no further problems. At that time the medical journals called it "video game epilepsy". My son has had no other seizure like behaviors.

Don't watch the same video again that triggered your episode.

I'm doing better today. So far I've had one small episode but am better than yesterday. I'm still worried that I'm going to have an attack, and thinking about it too much seems to trigger them.

Someone on another website told me that this is indeed an epileptic seizure. How can that be if I was alert and conscious? I felt dizzy and disoriented more than anything.

Only you can prevent neurotypical jerkiness!

Indie'sOK I am sorry you are not feeling well! Hope you are better today. Maybe try and just listen to some nice relaxing music that makes you feel good will help. Just an idea. It's better to just stay away from that kinda stuff from now on, I think.

OMGWTF... first I was like: not too bad...
5 seconds after the vid: my eyes feel tired
1 minute later... I think I need to puke.

See!

Only you can prevent neurotypical jerkiness!

Every person has different reactions to things like that.....yours wasn't bad enough to sent you to the hospital like the others....others aren't even bothered by it & some...less than others....it's just the way the mind & the visual affects us....each as individuals

that sounds like a pretty bad reaction, I watched that video a few months ago to see what it was about too, I didn't feel like I would lose consciousness but I did get a bad headache from it.
hope you feel better soon.

Sorry this happened to you ((Indie'sOK)) - yes some videos and games can make some have seizures and obviously other problems. I wonder why youtube keeps this video up, if its making these symptoms in others? I hope you're all better today.