Dissociative seizures, also called psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), can look very similar to epileptic seizures. At a glance, they may be difficult to distinguish. Doctors often need EEG monitoring during an episode to determine whether the seizure is epileptic or dissociative.
Dissociative seizures differ from epileptic seizures because they are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Instead, they are considered a functional neurological symptom, meaning the nervous system is reacting to overwhelming stress.
These episodes are believed to occur when the nervous system becomes overwhelmed, even if the person is not consciously aware of the trigger.
Dissociative seizures are real, involuntary, and often frightening. They are also more common in people who have experienced trauma.
This page is part of the Somatic and Body-Based Symptoms in DID section of the CommuniDID site, which explains why dissociation can affect the body, including pain, sensory changes, or neurological-like symptoms, even when medical tests are normal.
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