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Self Management and The Wellness Toolbox

Dissociative Seizures
NHS GGC

While there is no one solution that will make dissociative seizures go away completely, the potential for recovery is there.

Getting better will look different for different people.  Some people will stop having dissociative seizures, some will have them less frequently and others will find ways to live well despite having ongoing episodes. 

It’s important to remember that while people do not cause dissociative seizures to happen, they can take an active role in managing their episodes. Using the Stress Bucket Model can help to understand what the triggers and causes might be.

This App can help people self-manage the condition. We have provided information on strategies and tools that we know are helpful to people who have dissociative seizures.  They can be used when you feel a dissociative seizure start, during an episode or for general stress management. Strategies work differently for everyone so it is helpful to practice a number of different strategies and then choose what works best.

For many people, using these strategies can be enough to see a positive change in their dissociative seizures.

There are a range of self management tools within this section to support your mental health and wellbeing. 

What to do during a dissociative seizure?

It is important for you, your family and friends to know what to do in the event of a dissociative seizure.

DO

  • Remain calm
  • Place a cushion under their head
  • Remove harmful objects away from the person
  • Offer reassurance
  • Stand back and wait for the episode to pass
  • After a dissociative seizure, encourage the person to take some deep slow breaths and try using some distraction techniques
  • Encourage the person to sit up after an attack as soon as they are ready.
  • Encourage them to resume normal activity afterwards.

DO NOT

  • Intervene unless there is danger they might hurt themselves
  • Restrain or hold down the person
  • Administer medicine
  • Seek medical attention or call emergency services unless:
    • A new type of seizure has been seen
    • A significant injury or fall has occurred
    • There is concern about breathing
    • There is concern regarding blood pressure

Dissociative seizures are not in themselves dangerous to the brain. They do not cause damage to the brain. Even though a dissociative seizure may appear very violent, and may go on for a long time, significant injury as a result of dissociative seizures is unlikely and extremely rare.

Hierarchy of Care Interventions for Dissociative Seizures

animation illustrating a pathway for support as described in the text below

This graphic outlines a clear path, emphasising the importance of tailored care for those with dissociative seizures, with a focus on early diagnosis, holistic health, and personalised support.

  1. Diagnostic Conversation: Often, a simple diagnostic conversation is enough to recognise the condition leading to a better understanding of dissociative seizures and improved outcomes.
  2. Healthy Routines: Prioritise sleep, diet, exercise, wellness, and stress management. Building a foundation for a healthier life can help reduce the frequency of episodes.
  3. Focused Self Help Tools: Utilise resources like this app and the wellness toolbox (below) it provides. These tools can significantly impact the outcomes for individuals experiencing dissociative seizures.
  4. Clinical Services: When needed, seek specialised care from clinical professionals. They can address underlying causes and tailor treatment to the individual's unique condition. Remember, each person's journey is unique; treatments will vary.

Wellness Toolbox

Healthy habits and routines of healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep, stress management and wellness can be hugely beneficial. Building a foundation for a healthier life can help reduce the frequency of episodes.
Below is the Wellness toolbox, a collection of NHS and third part resources selected to help you build helpful routines.

Healthy Lifestyle

For more information and advice on building a healthy lifestyle, follow this link to the NHS Inform Healthy Living website.

 

Sleep

If you wish to build a healthy sleep pattern, Sleepio is a free app which can help.

 

Stress Management

There are many ways to self manage stress. Here are a selection of helpful exercises that you can use as part of your own stress management routine.

First to explore the Mind-Body link, watch these two videos.

The Lemon Exercise

Walking in the rain

 

If you wish to try some relaxation techniques, here are some useful tools to get started and then use at any time.

 

Wellness

NHS Audio breathing and relaxation playlist

Balloon Breathing

NHS Breathing exercise

NHS Muscle Relaxation Exercise:

NHS Relaxation Exercise

Safe Place Visualisation

Other Useful links

More on Dissociative Seizures

More information on the Dissociative Seizures can also be found on Neurosymptoms.com

FND Hope

FND Hope is a charitable organisation promoting awareness and support for individuals and carers affected by Functional Neurological Disorder.

FND Resources - FND Hope International

If you use social media, connect with FND Hope through Facebook

FND Hope UK - Functional Neurological Disorder | Facebook

FND Action is a patient-led charity who offer a caring and supporting hand to people living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and their caregivers in the UK. 

FND Action - Home

Mental Health

There are many resources available to provide more information and support on mental health.

Within the right decision app you are using now, you can also find the My Mental Health App

For the NHS Wellbeing site follow here: Mental wellbeing | NHS inform

For more information on talking therapies follow here: Talking therapies explained (nhsinform.scot)

 

 

 

 

 

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 30/05/2024

Next review date: 30/11/2024

Author(s): INS Neuropsychology QEUH.

Version: 2

Author email(s): ins.neuropsychology@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Approved By: NHS GGC

Reviewer name(s): INS Neuropsychology QEUH.