Compulsive behaviors during seizure? - Epilepsy Message Board

mpalmer118 · 01-11-2007, 02:41 PM

My dd sometimes seems compulsed to do something over and over during (or right after) a seizure. She is aware during her seizures and doesn't usually have automatisms (at least I didn't think so) I have always chalked it up to behavior, because it usually directed at me. Now I am not so sure.

An example, last night I had to go to the store, and Rachel wanted me to take the baby with me. Soon after she started having a sp and was distraught because I wasn't going to take the baby with me to the store, she repeatedly pointed to the baby and then to me, over and over and over. Another one, Rachel will do something like grab onto my shirt and pull, I will ask her to stop, and remove her hand, she will do it again, and again, if I leave the room she will follow me and do it again. Or she will put her hand over the pages of my book, and even if I put the book down to give her my full attention she will continue.

She doesn't have these often I always thought she was just trying to let me know she was having "trouble" as she usually can't talk during her seizures. I always thought that the automatisms were more robotic? Now I am confused, any thoughts?
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Mary- Mom to Ryan, 15, Rachel, 6, dx with epilepsy (simple partials, complex partials) and nystagmus, and Reid, 8 months

Travis from MN · 01-12-2007, 12:13 AM

NO the automatisms are not robotic; atleast not the ones I have witnessed. With my friend; hers would relate back to childhood most commonly (memory where the seizure occured in the brain maybe?) and she had to do household chores back at that point in time. She would go on a focus mode and "The house has to be clean, mommy will be home soon" She said that a few times.

The other type I saw a couple of times, and aqwardly experienced she must have thought I was her husband the way she came towards me and acted (I'll leave it at that!). Thankfully Her new husband was in the room and we were good friends so both of us were looking out for her safety.

Needless to say the latter was NOT one I am equipted to deal with. It put me in an uncomfortable situation.

A person can also walk around and at a distance LOOK fine, but they are zoned out or their mind is at another date or place. They will NOT remember what happened during these type of spells usually.

Those are two examples I can share. Hope it helps.

Forgot; my friend would recover less than 5 minutes after the episode and only know she had a seizure by noticing she changed her clothing (on her own!) but not know what happened during the "ordeals".

--Travis

mpalmer118 · 01-13-2007, 07:46 AM

It is unusual how seizures effect different people in such completely different ways. I wish my dd could share more about what is happening during her seizures.

jerrytom · 01-13-2007, 03:57 PM

I suffer from CPs and go through some different "compulsive behaviors". I was told by my epileptologist that some people take thier cloths off. He said that he's even seen one patient attempt a sexual act in the office. I chew, kick my legs and try to run when I finally get up. I also grab my cloths. People are different and go through different things during a siezure. Jeff

aussie308 · 01-17-2007, 07:37 PM

I had never experienced compulsive behaviors during or after a seiz. until last night. I remember going to bed, then the next thing I new I was on the couch with my hubby sitting next to me. I had, had a GM seiz. in my sleep and woke him with my jerking. After the seiz. was over Jerking part anyway) I got up to go to the bathroom. Usually I'm very unsteady and need assistance for a couple of hours. Hubby said i just got up, walked in like I was fine and tried to turn on the light. Power was out. He said I kept flipping the switch several times even after he moved my hand and told me it didn't work. Then I went to the stool and lifted the lid. he thought maybe I was going to be sick (sometimes am) instead I began to "play" in the water. After getting me out of there and cleaned up he tried to get me back to bed. Instead I was determined I was going outside. It was 1am and about 15 degrees out. I guess he had to almost drag me to the couch and hold me down to keep me from going out. He said I never said a single word during all of it. I have had seiz. for almost 5yrs. now and that's the first time something like that's happened.