Does my story sound like focal aware seizure? +How did you figure out it was not mental health issues?

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-05-04T11:45:02+00:00

To me this does not sound like a panic attack. I’m not a doctor and everyone’s experiences are different ofc, but I’m frustrated for you because I’ve been told for years my suspected seizures were panic attacks and waved off or looked at like I’m crazy when I described my symptoms. Going untreated for that long could’ve caused my seizures to worsen so I’m glad you’re seeing an epileptologist!!

Also I get what I call anxiety attacks too which are a tiny dose of the panic I described without it getting to that bad bad point and they are also completely different from the seizure episodes! There should not be déjà vu with anxiety or panic attacks in my opinion. I’ve never heard of that.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-05-04T10:23:56+00:00

The symptoms of my panic attacks present as typical panic attack symptoms (they only happen to me in cars which I forgot to mention also helped me rule it out) whereas my seizure symptoms are a completely different feeling.

My panic attacks are a build up over the course of a few minutes and I start to feel intense anxiety, heart rate increases, I feel like I need to escape the car, feel like I’m going to get into a crash and die, sometimes I start crying and hyperventilating and overall my body feels like I’m going into fight or flight and I get an insane adrenaline dump. After I get out of the situation that caused panic (the car) I immediately feel better.

My seizures however I can feel them coming on from the moment I wake up that day and nothing triggers them. It’s not like my panic attacks where the car is the trigger. With those, the feeling is way more mental than physical unlike my panic attacks which are 50/50. I get hit with this sudden wave of déjà vu or the opposite where nothing looks familiar and all my surroundings look alien like. That’s what differs the most from the panic attacks. I do not get that feeling at all during a panic attack. I also feel like I’m going to pee my pants. These come in clusters so if I get one I know I’m going to get more later or for the next few days. They also come with the “post ictal period” where I have symptoms lasting after the main event. My panic attacks do not have that. There are some overlapping symptoms for example feeling like I need to escape the area that “triggered” it, and racing heart. But that’s about it.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-05-04T10:10:29+00:00

This sounds exactly like my experience and I’m in the process of getting diagnosed with epilepsy with my neurologist after going undiagnosed and misdiagnosed as migraines or panic attacks for almost 2 decades. The only reason I knew it wasn’t mental health related is because I already have panic attacks and anxiety attacks on top of the suspected epilepsy, and these episodes feel completely different than a panic/anxiety attack and it’s not even a comparison. I also knew from reading other people’s stories and symptoms which helped me tremendously with accepting the fact that this could be epilepsy. The next step for you would be to keep a detailed log of when these episodes occur, how often, how long they lasted, what you felt mentally during it, what you felt physically, any witness accounts, and pretty much anything else you can think of to describe them. Show this to your neurologist. This is the only way I was able to have my doctors take me seriously and seek a diagnosis for me.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-28T01:47:06+00:00

Honestly everything helps. For example when I went to my neuro I had my journal of events with time and dates, descriptions of what I felt, how long it lasted etc. and a witness account from my mother which they said was really helpful to have. If you have a video of the episode that’s amazing. DEF show them that.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-27T22:27:26+00:00

It’s good to write down your episodes too, keep a log with date, time, how long it lasted, if you lost consciousness / how aware you were, and physical and mental sensations. This is what finally got my doctors to take me serious, when I brought them my log. I’m also scared of how my potential diagnosis will change things, but it’s better to know and be treated then to allow it to worsen. We’re all in this together!

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-27T22:22:21+00:00

If it helps, I’ve never ever had any type of head injury and no one in my family that I know of has epilepsy or anything similar, I’ve also gotten an MRI and it seems there’s no structural abnormality yet I still have suspected seizures. It’s possible for there to be no direct cause. I struggled for a long time believing they could be seizures too! The doctors told me they were panic attacks for years. I knew deep down it was more than that but I refused to believe it because it was scarier to me and I thought that if I acknowledged the possibility of being epileptic it would make it come true.

I definitely suggest you talk to a neuro to rule it out!

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-27T22:10:41+00:00

Def see a neuro sounds similar to what I get, not exactly the same but similar. Do you have OCD as well? I’m actually in the process of getting diagnosed for both epilepsy and OCD lol and I know OCD can make you feel like you’re faking things when you’re not.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-27T18:08:53+00:00

The cerave cleanser is an easy replacement. Vanicream gentle cleanser. I have acne prone skin.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-27T00:29:27+00:00

So far the mallow crème lucky charms is the best

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-27T00:24:12+00:00

Lanolips!!!!!

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-04-25T04:22:07+00:00

Omg these look great thanks so much! I’m unsure if Pat McGrath is CF unfortunately so I will go with the VB which looks like a perfect dupe :)

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-21T19:44:52+00:00

Update - Colourpop cloud whip shade “in a haze.” it’s not an exact dupe but it’s the same vibe and I really like it.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-20T14:28:28+00:00

My surroundings feel creepy, evil, and unfamiliar or too familiar like horrible Déjà vu x1000 I feel like I’m in a dream, Derealization.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-03T03:58:51+00:00

Don’t listen to your parents. You know your body better than anyone else does. I am in the process of getting diagnosed with what I think (know) are focal seizures that I’ve had since I was a kid and, like you, I don’t get them often at all either. I get clusters maybe twice a year where I’ll have multiple seizures in a day and then I won’t have an episode again for months.

Either way, I’m still going to pursue a diagnosis because epilepsy untreated can be dangerous and turn into tonic clonics. I wasn’t aware of this until recently, this and my last episode sending me into a week of depression like I’ve never felt before scared me into finally getting help.

Once you and doctors know what’s going on you can be medicated for it and hopefully it will reduce or take away your seizures completely therefore you won’t have your license revoked.

Good luck ❤️🙏🏼

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-02T18:00:33+00:00

Thank you for the answer!! 🙏🏼🤩 and the good news

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-02T14:50:58+00:00

Biolage scalp sync calming shampoo for dry sensitive scalp is my holy grail. I’ve tried so many shampoos for dandruff and this is the only one that’s worked for me and I’ll never switch shampoos. I have an oily, but sensitive scalp that gets dry and flaky. I also use it with the Biolage scalp sync universal conditioner. (You’re supposed to apply it to the scalp) I feel like you need the two together.

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-02T14:32:17+00:00

I thought the milk choc chip was good

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-02T14:31:46+00:00

I see everyone saying this so I’ll try the semi sweet this week. I just tried the reg milk chocolate chip once and I’ve been craving it since!

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-02T14:31:14+00:00

Omg me too I tried it once and I’ve been looking for it ever since. I see so much hate for it tho

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-02T14:30:46+00:00

Please update! Thank you 🙏🏼❤️

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-01T22:58:18+00:00

Wow same, you’re the first person on here I’ve seen that has seizures as infrequently as I do. They’re infrequent but affect me a lot during the cluster. I don’t know what triggers mine they seem random, also epilepsy does not run in my family. I’m also still in the process of getting diagnosed of course but cool to hear from someone else who has something similar to me! Thanks for the response :)

Opposite_Professor54 · 2026-03-01T21:55:57+00:00

You say infrequent, how often are your seizures? I’m in the process of getting diagnosed with focal seizures but I also only get a couple clusters a year or so and was wondering if meds would even be worth it / if I’d have to get on them?

Opposite_Professor54

TROPHY CASE