can stress cause seizures - #25844
I am really freaking out right now because I've been having these weird episodes lately. A few weeks ago, I was going through this super stressful time at work—like, deadlines were piling up and I was barely getting sleep—when suddenly, I had this shaking fit. My friends thought I was just having a panic attack, but it was more than that, I think. I even bit my tongue! I didn't go to the ER or anything, but then last weekend it happened again, and this time I was just watching TV. That got me thinking, can stress cause seizures? I've heard people say that stress can do all sorts of weird things to your body, but how often does it actually lead to seizures? I don’t have a history of seizure disorders or anything, and honestly, it’s kinda hard to believe stress could play such a big role. I’ve been trying deep breathing and yoga, but it’s not helping much with the worry, you know? I've got a doc appointment next week, but until then, I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced something similar. Like, can stress cause seizures? How do I know if it’s just stress or something serious? Thanks for any input!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors' responses
Stress can indeed have a broad impact on your body, and while it does not directly cause seizures, it can be a contributing factor in people who are already predisposed to have them or have underlying neurological conditions. Stress might lower the seizure threshold, meaning it makes it more likely for a seizure to occur, but it’s not the only factor at play. In reality, seizures are often multifactorial, arising from an interplay of various triggers, including dehydration, sleep deprivation, alcohol, certain medications, and more. Given your description, it’s possible you experienced a seizure, especially considering the tongue-biting incident, which is commonly associated with tonic-clonic seizures. It’s important you discuss these episodes at length with your healthcare provider, as they may suggest further investigation such as an EEG or MRI to better understand what’s going on. Meanwhile, you should focus on reducing stressors where possible—keep up with the deep breathing and yoga, which are good practices for stress relief, but recognize they work better as part of a broader self-care routine that includes adequate sleep, proper hydration, a balanced diet, and avoiding triggers you might identify. If another episode happens before your doctor’s appointment, or if you experience any serious symptoms like sustained confusion, difficulty breathing, or if the seizures last more than five minutes, seek immediate medical attention. Such symptoms can signify an urgent health issue that requires prompt evaluation. Keeping a seizure diary, noting the time, duration, and any potential triggers or preceding events, could also provide valuable insight to your doctor. Remember, the upcoming appointment is a step in the right direction for getting to the root of the issue, so try not to let worry take too much hold until then.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.