Understanding Panic Attacks and Seizures

Before answering the question, “can a panic attack cause a seizure,” it’s essential to understand what panic attacks and seizures are. While they may have similar symptoms, they are very different conditions.

What Is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear that triggers physical and emotional distress. It usually lasts between 10 to 30 minutes and can occur without warning.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack:

• Rapid heartbeat or chest pain
• Shortness of breath or feeling like you’re choking
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• A sense of losing control or impending doom

What Is a Seizure?

A seizure occurs when there is sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy, brain injuries, or other neurological conditions can cause seizures.

Symptoms of a Seizure:

• Uncontrollable jerking or shaking
• Loss of awareness or consciousness
• Staring spells or confusion
• Sudden collapse or stiffening of the body
• Difficulty speaking or responding

While panic attacks and seizures have overlapping symptoms, their causes and effects on the brain are different. But is there a connection between them?

Can a Panic Attack Cause a Seizure?

The short answer is no, a panic attack does not directly cause a seizure. However, in some cases, people who experience severe anxiety or panic attacks may develop psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). This seizure-like episode is triggered by psychological distress rather than abnormal brain activity.

Understanding Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)

PNES are seizures that are not caused by epilepsy but instead stem from extreme stress, trauma, or anxiety. Many people who experience PNES have a history of emotional distress or past trauma.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are relatively common, accounting for approximately 5% to 10% of outpatients in epilepsy clinics and 20% to 40% of inpatients undergoing video EEG monitoring.

How PNES Differs from Epileptic Seizures:

• No abnormal brain activity – Unlike epilepsy, PNES does not show up on an EEG test.
• Triggered by stress or anxiety – PNES episodes often happen in response to emotional distress.
• Consciousness is preserved – Some people remain aware during a PNES episode, unlike epileptic seizures.

If you’re experiencing panic attacks and seizure-like episodes, it’s essential to seek medical help to determine the cause and receive the right treatment.

What Triggers PNES or Seizure-Like Episodes?

Even though a panic attack does not cause a seizure, extreme emotional distress can trigger seizure-like symptoms in certain individuals. Individuals with panic disorder have a 5.9-fold increased likelihood of reporting a seizure history compared to those without any lifetime psychiatric disorders. Here are some common triggers:

• Severe anxiety or panic attacks
• Past trauma or PTSD
• Emotional distress or overwhelming stress
• Lack of sleep or extreme exhaustion
• Substance abuse or withdrawal

For those dealing with both anxiety and seizure-like symptoms, addressing the underlying mental health condition is key to finding relief.

How to Manage Panic Attacks and Prevent Seizure-Like Episodes

If you experience frequent panic attacks or seizure-like symptoms, there are several ways to manage them. While panic attacks do not cause seizures, the stress they put on your body can make other conditions worse.

Ways to Reduce Panic Attacks:

• Deep breathing exercises – Slow, deep breaths help calm the nervous system.
• Grounding techniques – Focus on the present by engaging your senses (touch, smell, sound).
• Regular exercise – Physical activity helps reduce stress and anxiety.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – A therapist can help you change negative thought patterns.
• Medication – In some cases, anti-anxiety medication may be helpful.

At Relevance Recovery, we specialize in helping individuals manage anxiety, panic attacks, and trauma-related disorders. Our treatment programs focus on holistic healing, therapy, and personalized care to help you regain control over your mental health.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you are experiencing frequent panic attacks or suspect you may have PNES or epilepsy, it’s important to seek medical attention. A healthcare provider can perform tests to determine whether anxiety-related seizures or a neurological condition causes your symptoms.

Signs You Should See a Doctor:

• Your episodes involve loss of consciousness or physical convulsions
• You experience confusion or memory loss after an episode
• Your panic attacks are becoming more frequent and severe
• You have a history of head injuries or neurological conditions

Getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward finding the best treatment.

How Relevance Recovery Can Help

At Relevance Recovery, we understand how overwhelming panic attacks and seizure-like symptoms can be. Our team provides personalized treatment plans to help individuals struggling with anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health challenges.

Our Approach to Healing:

• Comprehensive Assessment – We work with you to identify the root cause of your symptoms.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – Helps change negative thought patterns that trigger panic attacks.
• Trauma Therapy – For those with PTSD or past trauma contributing to anxiety.
• Medication Management – When necessary, we offer medical support to manage severe anxiety.
• Mindfulness & Stress Reduction Techniques – Learning to calm the nervous system can prevent panic attacks.

If you’re struggling with anxiety and feel like it’s taking over your life, help is available.