Dissociative Seizures

TL;DR Dissociative seizures also called psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), look and feel like epileptic fits, yet brain-wave tests stay normal. They arise from overwhelming stress, trauma, or long-standing emotional conflict. Accurate diagnosis, trauma-informed therapy, and grounding skills are central to recovery.

What a Dissociative Seizure Looks Like

During an episode someone may collapse, shake, stare, or lose awareness. Because there is no abnormal electrical activity in the brain, routine EEGs remain normal, even if the person appears unconscious or convulsing.

Typical clues that point toward dissociative rather than epileptic seizures include

• eyes closed or fluttering during the event
• side-to-side head or body movements that change in speed or intensity
• rapid recovery once the episode ends, with full alertness returning quickly
• a clear link to emotional stress, conflict, or traumatic reminders

Why They Happen

A dissociative seizure is the nervous system’s ultimate “shut-down” response. When fight, flight, or freeze is not enough, the brain may disconnect awareness from overwhelming feelings, expressing the overload through dramatic physical symptoms instead of conscious emotion.

Common risk factors

• a history of childhood or adult trauma
• chronic stress, bullying, or emotional neglect
• post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression
• previous dissociative experiences such as depersonalisation or fugue

Getting the Right Diagnosis

Many people spend years on epilepsy medication before learning their seizures are dissociative. A collaborative approach works best:

• Neurologists rule out epilepsy with video-EEG monitoring. A normal EEG recorded while a typical event occurs points to PNES.
• Mental-health clinicians explore trauma history, dissociation, and current stressors.
• Clear, compassionate communication “Your seizures are real, but they’re stress-related, not epileptic” reduces shame and confusion.

Healing and Day-to-Day Management

Formal treatment usually centres on trauma-informed psychotherapy. Approaches such as EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, or somatic therapies help process unresolved memories and teach safer ways to regulate emotion. Medication is prescribed only for co-occurring conditions (for example, anxiety). Grounding practices you can start today

• Splash cool water on your hands or face as soon as you sense an episode brewing.
• Name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, one you can taste.
• Carry a textured object like a smooth stone or fabric swatch to anchor your senses.
• Practise slow box-breathing: inhale four counts, hold four, exhale four, hold four.
• Build a network of safe supporters who know how to speak calmly, remind you where you are, and help you re-orient after an event.

Final Thoughts

Dissociative seizures are real, frightening, and often misunderstood. With a correct diagnosis, informed therapy, and everyday grounding tools, many people reduce the frequency and impact of their episodes and reclaim confidence in their bodies.

🌱 Interested in shaping better resources for dissociation? Become a test user for our upcoming app through our Linktree. 📸 For ongoing tips and community stories, follow us on Instagram @groundmeapp. You do not have to navigate dissociative seizures alone; support and understanding are within reach.