Can Stress Mimic Seizures?

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, previously known as pseudoseizures, usually have a psychological cause, such as severe mental stress. However, they do not involve changes to electrical impulses in the brain.

Can stress cause seizure like symptoms?

Stress can cause a wide range of physical and mental symptoms, which may include psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), also called pseudoseizures.

Can anxiety mimic a seizure?

The symptoms of anxiety – particularly panic attacks – can look and feel a lot like the symptoms of some types of epileptic seizure. This means that both conditions can be misdiagnosed. A panic attack is a sudden, intense episode of anxiety. These can affect some people with high levels of anxiety.