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When Seizures Are Not Epilepsy

By U.S. News & World Report

If you or a loved one is continuing to experience seizures despite treatment with appropriate medications, it may be for one of three reasons:

— Because the medication dose is not sufficiently high to control the seizures.

— The chosen drug is not the optimal choice from among the many available.

— The epilepsy is inherently drug-resistant and difficult to control.

However, in some cases, it’s none of the above. If the seizures are actually due to a psychological factor rather than epilepsy, then epilepsy treatments will not be effective because the diagnosis is incorrect.

[See: Was That a Seizure?]

Non-epileptic seizures occur in approximately 2 to 3 per 100,000 people overall. These seizures usually start between ages 10 and 35, and are most common among people in their 20s and 30s. They are four times more common in adolescent and adult women than men, but among children, they are equally frequent among boys and girls. People may have a mix of epileptic and non-epileptic seizures, or they may have non-epileptic seizures alone.

It can often be difficult for friends and family to tell the difference between epileptic and non-epileptic seizures, since the outward signs are similar. Symptoms of non-epileptic seizures may range from unresponsiveness with limp and motionless body tone to jerky movements of the body and limbs. Non-epileptic seizures may last minutes or even hours, and they may occur sporadically or as often as several times a day. Similar to epileptic seizures, non-epileptic episodes may be very disruptive to the individuals who experience them, and they often result in school or work absence, repeated visits to the emergency department and even hospital stays.

[See: 12 Questions to Ask Before Discharge.]

Doctors diagnose non-epileptic seizures with an EEG, or brain wave test. During epileptic seizures, the brain’s electrical activity is transiently disturbed, and this disturbance can be clearly seen on the EEG. In contrast, during non-epileptic seizures, the EEG brain wave recording remains normal. Confirming the diagnosis of non-epileptic seizures may require a brief hospital stay, but it is the critical first step toward resolving the condition.

Once non-epileptic seizures are confirmed, the treatment shifts from prescribing seizure medication to exploring and addressing possible emotional or psychological factors. Many people experiencing non-epileptic seizures have suffered emotional, physical or sexual abuse, and for children, school difficulties, bullying or family discord may play a role. Non-epileptic seizures often co-exist with other conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and chronic pain or headache, and these must also be addressed. Recognizing stresses, treating associated conditions and developing effective coping mechanisms are key goals for therapy.

[See: 11 Simple, Proven Ways to Optimize Your Mental Health.]

Being diagnosed with non-epileptic seizures does not mean patients are weak because they’ve been unable to cope effectively with psychological stressors, or that “it’s all in their head.” A person experiencing non-epileptic seizures is not at fault, and their symptoms are not intentionally produced. Erroneous thoughts and feelings such as these are not uncommon among people experiencing non-epileptic seizures. An important goal of therapy is to dispel these myths, so that the person can begin an effective healing process.

Sometimes non-epileptic seizures resolve almost immediately after a confident diagnosis is made, and in other cases, more extensive therapy is required. The good news is that most people with non-epileptic seizures can eventually enjoy full recovery and live normal lives. Reaching out for help from a specialized epilepsy center is the first step.

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When Seizures Are Not Epilepsy originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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