A reason for absence

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a common functional neurological disorder that manifest as seizure-like episodes. They are caused by psychological distress, not abnormal brain electrical activity, and are also known as pseudoseizures, functional seizures, or dissociative seizures. PNES episodes can involve involuntary changes in movement, sensation, or behavior, and can resemble epileptic seizures.

There is a subset of the population affected by these conditions and I believe that negative outcomes such as deaths in prisons and suicidality in veteran communities could be reduced by community attention to detail when it comes to the foundational and transformational power of feeling safe.

To see leading foreign institutions and their department heads echo apologetics that deny client / survivor history; and set precedent that there are those in the population that fake this debilitating condition only strengthens my resolve as both survivor and creative to write for those who might be in the same waters as me, but without a boat or a lifeline.

This condition is personalised hell on autopilot every time there's an event; I really hope others in the veteran / medical ptsd community get better outcomes.

If you are in anyway related to First Responder LEO or emergency or custodial care delivery do ensure you are across psychogenic non epileptic seizure - for reasons why when you watch the video.

https://youtu.be/BMYsxd-0654?si=QGMzM3MF6IybK4C0

I've been trying to blow a whistle on this condition for better peer outcomes now for half a decade. Local members of parliament don't want to listen. Senators, doctors, specialists. They don't want to listen. "pesudo, somatic, painless condition" - let me tell you that ignorance is bliss for those on the outside looking in.

Awareness will save lives and produce greater health outcomes. Right now, the risk for people who are unsupported is hypoxia, toxicity from health departments and hospitals pushing incorrect prescriptions and treating presentations like epilepsy or psychosis. During shutdown the risk can be as severe as brain damage or even death.

Polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, provides insight into how our autonomic nervous system (ANS) responds to safety and danger. During psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), the ANS can become overwhelmed, leading to shutdown responses. If prolonged or unattended,

These shutdowns can result in hypoxia, a state of insufficient oxygen. Here's how this can unfold:

1. *Ventral vagal shutdown*: The ANS's ventral vagal complex, responsible for social engagement, can become overwhelmed, leading to immobilization or "shutdown."

2. *Sympathetic surge*: As the body perceives danger, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) can surge, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

3. *Dorsal vagal response*: If the SNS response is insufficient, the dorsal vagal complex can take over, causing a freeze response, decreased heart rate, and reduced blood pressure.

During prolonged PNES, if the individual experiences repeated or prolonged shutdowns, their breathing and circulation can become compromised. This can lead to:

1. *Respiratory compromise*: Reduced respiratory rate or depth can decrease oxygen intake.

2. *Cardiovascular strain*: Increased SNS activity or decreased dorsal vagal response can strain the heart. If hypoxia occurs due to prolonged shutdown, it can lead to:

1. *Cerebral hypoxia*: Insufficient oxygen delivery to the brain can cause damage or loss of brain function.

2. *Cardiac complications*: Prolonged hypoxia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest.

In extreme cases, unattended PNES-related shutdown and subsequent hypoxia can be fatal due to:

1. *Respiratory failure*

2. *Cardiac arrest*

3. *Cerebral damage*

4. Death where physical restraint, toxicity from medications or experienced violence compounds 1-3 above.

It's therefore crucial for practitioners and institutions to recognise the condition exists, challenge existing epilepsy presentations, especially when they are considered treatment resistance, and further, individuals experiencing PNES to must receive care, attention and appropriate client form escalations to prevent these factors reducing them to statistics or misdiagnoses when in the care of hospitals and institutions.

Cathery | reporting on lived experience, as adovacte for my fellow survivor.

I am an independent Actor, Writer, Voiceover and have aspirations in systems architecture. My opinions are my own, and are not endorsed by any brands that I mention in my written work. Thank you for stopping by my corner of the internet. More to come.