Breakthrough scan shows woman’s seizures were not due to epilepsy
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She spent her childhood believing she was epileptic.
An 18-year-old woman who spent most of her childhood believing she suffered from epilepsy was told the reasons behind her seizures were in fact emotional, following a specialised scan at the Hadassah Medical Centre in Israel.
“Rebecca was 18 when she arrived at the Hadassah Hospital Neuropsychiatry Clinic after believing that she suffered from epilepsy for 12 years,” said Dr Shiri Ben-Naim, Director of the clinic.
Despite years of epilepsy medication and a strict behavioural regimen, Rebecca’s seizures had become more severe and frequent. A video EEG, or electroencephalogram, administered by technicians in the clinic showed that this was because she had no epileptic brain activity. “When we told Rebecca and her parents that the reasons behind her seizures were emotional, and not epilepsy, the family had a difficult time with the news,” said Dr Ben-Naim. Rebecca was understandably confused.
While experts at the clinic worked with Rebecca to determine what caused her seizures and to train her in how to control them, they also provided guidance for her parents. Her antiepileptic medications were gradually reduced and Rebecca learned how to identify her body’s cues before going into a seizure along with what tools she could use to stop it. With treatment she was able to carry out two years of National Service and continue her studies in college.
“We are proud to be counted among the international leaders in this field and to be able to apply this exceptional level of care to our patients,” said Dr Ben-Naim.
