Non-epileptic seizure

Non-epileptic seizures (NES), also known as non-epileptic events, are

When used on its own, the term seizure usually refers to an epileptic seizure. The lay use of this word can also include sudden attacks of illness, loss of control, spasm or stroke.[4] Where the physician is uncertain as to the diagnosis, the medical term paroxysmal event and the lay terms spells, funny turns or attacks may be used.

Signs and symptoms

• Convulsions
• Crying out or making a noise
• Stiffening
• Jerky, rhythmic or twitching motions
• Falling down
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion after returning to consciousness
• Loss of bladder control
• Biting the tongue

Causes

Possible causes include:

• Syncope
  (fainting)
  • Reflex anoxic seizures
• Breath-holding spells
  of childhood
• Cataplexy
• Hyperekplexia, also called startle syndrome
• Migraine
• Narcolepsy
• Non-epileptic myoclonus
• Opsoclonus
• night terrors
• Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia
• Repetitive or
  ritualistic behaviours^{[citation needed}
  ]
• Tics
• Hypoglycemia

Diagnosis

A wide array of phenomena may or may not resemble epileptic seizures, which may lead to people who do not have