Panic attacks or seizures

Panic attacks or seizures: The diagnosis of partial epileptic seizures is often challenging. The problem is considerable; the lifetime prevalence of

epilepsy is 3-4%, and 60% of those affected have simple or complex partial seizures. 1 2 Panic disorder has a lifetime prevalence of about 1.5%

and is characterised by discrete episodes of unexpected, sudden, overwhelming terror accompanied by a variety of physical, cognitive, and

behavioural symptoms.3

Panic attacks or seizures may have similar symptoms. Patients with epilepsy may have prodromal symptoms of tension, anxiety, and depression.

Temporal lobe seizures commonly include affective symptoms, fear, and autonomic features, including changes in skin colour, blood pressure, and

heart rate.4 In comparison, for panic attack to be diagnosed (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition) patients must have

at least four of 13 symptoms, including physical symptoms (palpitations, sweating, trembling, sensation of breathlessness, chest pain, feeling of

choking, nausea, faintness, chills or flushes.

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