Has stress caused your child to seize ever?

Rachel - posted on 05/23/2012

Could also be a partial panic attack mixed in with seizures. Slowly learning this.

Naomi - posted on 02/28/2011

From my experience, the answer would be yes. If my son is tired or over stimulated (all result in some type of stress) he is more likely to have a seizure.

Karen - posted on 02/24/2011

Michelle, thanks for another wonderful idea.

Angela - posted on 02/24/2011

Stress definitely triggers my daughters seizures. She is a perfectionist and has 'melt downs' when things don't go right. this usually causes seizures. Also if she gets into trouble at school or home she will stress and then may have a seizure. Doesn't stop us from disciplining her though as she can't learn that she can misbehave. Minimise stress but life is full of stressful situations. Unfortunately our kids just need to learn to deal with it.

Michelle - posted on 02/23/2011

for those who are tracking seizures, My Epilepsy.com has an epilepsy diary you can upload to your compter as well as an iphone app that makes it easier to take the info with you when you go to the doctor, I use it and its helps a lot

Shanna - posted on 02/17/2011

I believe so as well my daughter who is 6 almost 7 was diagnosed with epilepsy at 6 months old and now that she is in school she has a lot more stress and in return has been having a lot more seizures she worries about alot of little things like in the lunch room they are not allowed to talk and so if she does she will go on yellow and that is a big factor because she thinks she will get into troubke so she will stress over it. and in turn she has a lot more seizures

Karen - posted on 02/17/2011

Jessie - what a wonderful idea about documenting on the calendar. I will have to do that myself.

I too believe stress contributes. I asked our doctor on Friday how the EEGs would read if we did one say, on our sons first day of Kindergarten and a second one on Saturday when he can sleep in and lounge in his pjs most of the day. The doctor acknowledged the Saturday one would probably show less activity which validated my suspicion of stress and environmental factors contributing. I think it is very possible and a good thing to document when meeting with the doctor for his guesses (and I do stress guesses and the medical profession seems to be unable to definitively say one way or another).

Cindy - posted on 02/17/2011

I believe that stress can cause some seizures. My son is 3 and when he gets upset or aggrivated about something, he has them

Jessie - posted on 02/16/2011

I agree writing things down in a calender helps see connections. My son has had seizures from changes; staying in hotels, overexertion skiing (seizure was in night afterwards) and dehydration ( we forgot the water bottle on the ski. Heat and hotel room. But i am sure that if we try to keep life simple and not be too stressed this is best.

Tiffany - posted on 02/16/2011

Stress (and now as a woman along with my menstrual cycles) always play(s/ed) a huge part in me having a seizure and my brother would probably say the same thing about stress. I also wanted to comment on Patty's post... the best thing my parents ever did was to give me a normal non-sheltered life. Support as best you can but don't compromise your boundaries or goals for her as well as her goals she will have for herself. Good luck in finding her triggers ... logging information has always been helpful for me.

Renee - posted on 02/16/2011

yes!It always made my seizures worse.did.Keep a log showing antecedent to each seizure your child has you can sow what triggers your child,.If dr still only believes "medical research" triggers only find a new dr.!!!

Mary - posted on 02/15/2011

I have found that when my sons and my husband are arguing loudly,and Jeremiah is not feeling well this is when he will have a seizure. Maybe it is to get them to stop,maybe it is because he does not feel well. I am not sure.

Michele - posted on 02/15/2011

Oh, and NEVER forget.....YOU were chosen to be that child's mom for a reason. Not just anybody is blessed with such an important challenge.

Patty - posted on 02/15/2011

I agree completely with Michele. It is very hard and you are always wondering if you are too hard on your child. I myself fall into that trap quite frequently. I am currently reading a book on children and seizures and the advice it gives is that you want to give your child a normal life as possible. It says although stress can trigger a seizure as a parent you still need to discipline your child and you still need to set goals for your child we just have to find different ways than other parents. Dont blame yourself for your childs seizures! I know it is easier said than done...that is what I was saying when I was reading that book but as a parent we want what is best for our children and unfortunately it is scary when a child has seizures. Hang in there...I know that you will find a way to make it through.

Michele - posted on 02/15/2011

As I understand it, stress does not actually cause a seizure, but it can be a trigger. When you feel stressed, the activity of the brain and the nervous system increases so you are at an increased risk of seizing. Stress can also cause you to hyperventilate, which also means more brain wave activity, and again a risk of seizing. I know it sucks to constantly have to walk on egg-shells around your kid. It doesn't mean mean every time your kid feels a bit stressed,t hey will seize. But it does mean you have to be a bit more watchful than the mom next door. I know how difficult it can be. I know how easy it is to blame yourself. (i.e. "maybe I was hard on her too"). Don't fall into that trap. I've done that too. It's so much easier said than done. I hope you find answers.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/14/2011

i have to agree with patty, my son has epilepsy seizures and is 7 now and when he get's too stressed out i know there's one too follow, he has been having alot these days exspecially at school, and the teachers aren't even catching them even though they are small ones, the kids like too tease him about his growth on his face and when he speakes up and tells the other kids where to go , he ends up getting into trouble and ends up stressing too much he ends up having a seizure. i just wish the teacher would pay attenishion to him more... take care and the best of luck with you and your family, liz upper

Patty - posted on 02/14/2011

I think so. My doctors have been saying that increased stress could be a trigger. My son is 5 and has been recently diagnosed with epilepsy. My husband just deployed and a day before he was scheduled to leave he had another major seizure. After he left my son had 6 major seizures in a week time when before he only had 2 in a 6 month period. I asked my doctor about this and they said there is no medical evidence suggesting that stress is a trigger but it definitely seems to increase their seizure threshold. To me that was kinda contradicting information but I really believe that it is a trigger at least for my son. I would talk to your doctors about it and see what they have to say because it is my understanding every child is different when it comes to seizures. I hope this helped you some and I wish you the best with your daughter.