The key difference between epileptic seizures and dissociative convulsions is that epileptic seizures are due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, while dissociative convulsions are due to psychological distress.
Epileptic seizures and dissociative convulsions are medical conditions characterized by rapid uncontrollable shaking episodes or involuntary movements. However, they are different conditions with different aetiologies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Epileptic Seizures
3. What are Dissociative Convulsions
4. Similarities – Epileptic Seizures and Dissociative Convulsions
5. Epileptic Seizures vs. Dissociative Convulsions in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Epileptic Seizures vs. Dissociative Convulsions
What are Epileptic Seizures?
Epileptic seizures are known as a sudden alteration of behaviour in people due to a temporary change in the electrical functioning of the brain. This leads to episodes of sudden involuntary movements. Generally, the brain continuously generates electrical impulses travelling along the neurons throughout the whole body via chemical messengers. In epileptic seizures, the electrical rhythms in the brain are imbalanced. This results in recurrent seizures.
The symptoms of this condition are starring, jerking movements, stiffening of the body, loss of consciousness, breathing problems, loss of control of bowel and bladder movements, sudden falling for no apparent reason, not responding to noise or words, confused appearance, rhythmically nodding the head, and a period of rapid blinking of the eye. The risk factors for epileptic seizures include stress, sleep deprivation or fatigue, insufficient food intake, alcohol use or drug abuse, and not taking prescribed anticonvulsant medications.
Epileptic seizures can be diagnosed through electroencephalogram (EEG), computed tomography (CT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment options for epileptic seizures are antiepileptic medications (AEDs), diet therapy, and surgery.
What are Dissociative Convulsions?
Dissociative convulsions are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Instead, they occur due to psychological distress. However, like epileptic seizures, dissociative convulsions are also characterized by uncontrolled movements, sensations, and behaviours. The other prominent symptoms of these dissociative convulsions are falling to the floor unexpectedly, shaking or jerking movements, biting the tongue, losing control of the bladder, going blank and staring, and not being able to respond to other people around them. The risk factors for this condition include building up stress over the years and traumatic experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, bullying, or the death of someone.
Dissociative convulsions can be diagnosed through physical examination and electroencephalogram (EEG) test. Furthermore, treatment options for dissociative convulsions may include psychological therapy and therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling.
What are the Similarities Between Epileptic Seizures and Dissociative Convulsions?
- Epileptic seizures and dissociative convulsions are medical conditions characterized by rapid uncontrollable shaking episodes or involuntary movements.
- Stress is a risk factor for both conditions.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and electroencephalogram (EEG).
- They can be treated through therapies.
What is the Difference Between Epileptic Seizures and Dissociative Convulsions?
Epileptic seizures happen as a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, while dissociative convulsions happen as a result of psychological distress. Thus, this is the key difference between epileptic seizures and dissociative convulsions. Stress, sleep deprivation or fatigue, insufficient food intake, alcohol use or drug abuse, and not taking prescribed anticonvulsant medications are some of the risk factors for epileptic seizures. On the other hand, building up stress over the years and traumatic experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, bullying, or the death of someone close are some of the risk factors for dissociative convulsions.
The infographic below presents the differences between epileptic seizures and dissociative convulsions in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Epileptic Seizures vs. Dissociative Convulsions
Seizures and convulsions are characterized by rapid, uncontrollable shaking episodes or involuntary movements. Therefore, both epileptic seizures and dissociative convulsions are also characterized by uncontrolled movements, sensations, and behaviours. However, epileptic seizures occur due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In contrast, dissociative convulsions occur due to psychological distress, and they are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epileptic seizures can be treated through medications, whereas dissociative convulsions can only be treated through therapies since they do not respond to medications. So, this summarizes the difference between epileptic seizures and dissociative convulsions.
Reference:
1. “Epileptic Seizures.” Epilepsy Society.
2. Nie, Jing, et al. “A Case of Dissociative Convulsions Presented as Frequent Epilepsy-like Seizures.” General Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Epilepsy Safety” By Paha L – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia