The key difference between epileptic and nonepileptic seizures is that epileptic seizures are caused by sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain while nonepileptic seizures are caused by psychological, neurological or physical causes, instead of sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.
Seizures are abnormalities in muscle tone or movements, behaviors, sensations or state of awareness. There are three major types of seizures as epileptic seizures, psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and physiologic nonepileptic events. PNES and physiological nonepileptic events are known as two forms of nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsy is a brain disorder. When people have two or more seizures, they are diagnosed with epilepsy. These seizures are called epileptic seizures.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Epileptic Seizures
3. What are Nonepileptic Seizures
4. Similarities – Epileptic and Nonepileptic Seizures
5. Epileptic vs. Nonepileptic Seizures in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Epileptic and Nonepileptic Seizures
7. Summary – Epileptic vs. Nonepileptic Seizures
What are Epileptic Seizures?
Epileptic seizures are caused due to sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. This can be caused by changes in genes affecting how the brain works. The possible symptoms of this condition may include uncontrollable jerking and shaking (fit), losing awareness and staring blankly into space, becoming stiff, strange sensations such as a rising feeling in the stomach, and collapsing.
Epileptic seizures can be diagnosed through an electroencephalogram (EEG), or a brain scan. They can be treated through antiepileptic drugs, surgery to remove a small part of the brain, a procedure to put a small electrical device inside the body that controls seizures, and a special diet called ketogenic diet that controls seizures.
What are Nonepileptic Seizures?
Nonepileptic seizures are not caused due to sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. They can be caused by attention problems, anxiety, mood disorders, dissociative disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, family stress and conflict, substance abuse, behavioral disturbances, and traumatic brain injury. The symptoms of this condition may include convulsions, stiffening or jerky, twitchy movements, crying out, biting the tongue, falling down, loss of consciousness, confusion, loss of bladder control, staring, altered senses, and changes in emotions.
Nonepileptic seizures can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, neurological examination, blood work, and electroencephalogram (EEG). Furthermore, treatment options for nonepileptic seizures are prolonged exposure to psychotherapy, interpersonal and psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness-based psychotherapy, and family therapy.
What are the Similarities Between Epileptic and Nonepileptic Seizures?
- Epileptic and nonepileptic seizures are two different types of seizures.
- Sudden, uncontrollable movements characterize both conditions.
- These conditions can be diagnosed through physical evaluation and electroencephalogram (EEG).
- They can be treated through specific therapies.
What is the Difference Between Epileptic and Nonepileptic Seizures?
Epileptic seizures are caused by sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, while sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain do not cause nonepileptic seizures. Thus, this is the key difference between epileptic and nonepileptic seizures. Furthermore, epileptic seizures can be caused by changes in genes affecting how the brain works. On the other hand, nonepileptic seizures can be caused by attention problems, anxiety, mood disorders, dissociative disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, family stress and conflict, substance abuse, behavioral disturbances, and traumatic brain injury.
The infographic below presents the differences between epileptic and nonepileptic seizures in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Epileptic and Nonepileptic Seizures
What is the most serious type of epilepsy?
The most serious type of epilepsy is tonic-clonic seizures.
What are the main causes of epilepsy?
Head injury or trauma, stroke or brain haemorrhage (bleed), brain infection or inflammation like meningitis, encephalitis or a brain abscess, brain malformations or tumours, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, chronic alcohol or drug use, high or low blood sugar, and other biochemical imbalances are the main causes for epilepsy.
Can epilepsy live a normal life?
The majority of people with epilepsy can live a normal life. Patients who have had epilepsy for a long time or patients whose epilepsy cannot be controlled may need assistance in their daily life activities.
Summary – Epileptic vs. Nonepileptic Seizures
Sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain cause epileptic seizures. Therefore, they occur due to disturbances in the electrical activity in the brain. In contrast, nonepileptic seizures are not caused by sudden abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. They are mainly caused due to psychological, neurological or physical reasons, including major accidents, severe emotional problems, difficult affairs, sexual abuse, etc. This is the summary of the difference between epileptic and nonepileptic seizures.
Reference:
1. “Non-Epileptic Seizures and Functional Seizures.” Epilepsy Society.
2. A, Krumholz. “Nonepileptic Seizures: Diagnosis and Management.” Neurology, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Epilepsy Safety” By Paha L – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia