The confusion between the terms “seizure” and “epileptic crisis” is quite common, not only among the general public but also among professionals who are starting in the health field. Often used as synonyms, these words describe distinct neurological events, and understanding their differences is crucial for accurate communication and, most importantly, for the proper conduct of patient care. This conceptual clarity is the first step towards demystifying neurological conditions and addressing them with the seriousness and knowledge they require.

For those who wish to help people, especially in the field of emotional health, mastering this terminology is more than a technical detail; it is a demonstration of competence and respect. After all, the way we name an experience directly impacts the patient’s perception of their own condition. Clarifying that not every epileptic crisis is a seizure opens the door to a broader and less stigmatized understanding of disorders like epilepsy.

An epileptic crisis refers to a sudden and transient alteration of brain electrical activity. Imagine the brain as a complex communication network, where neurons exchange electrical signals. A crisis occurs when there is an abnormal, excessive, and synchronous electrical discharge of these neurons. This “electrical storm” can manifest in numerous ways, many of them without any visible motor disturbance.

On the other hand, a seizure is a specific type of epileptic crisis. It is the most well-known and dramatic motor manifestation, characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, which can be generalized (involving the entire body) or focal (affecting only a part). Therefore, every seizure is an epileptic crisis, but the reverse is not true. There are absence crises, focal crises with altered consciousness, and other manifestations that do not involve the muscle spasms of a seizure.

In this article, we will delve into the difference between seizure and epileptic crisis, detailing the types, causes, and, more importantly, how the management of emotional health becomes a powerful ally in the well-being of individuals experiencing these conditions. As professionals who understand the deep connection between mind and body, our goal is to provide an integrated view, aligned with the evidence-based practices that guide the work of the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis.

What is an Epileptic Crisis? The Neurological Event

An epileptic crisis is a transient neurological event caused by excessive or synchronous electrical activity in the brain. This neuronal hyperactivity can generate various types of manifestations that go far beyond the common image of a person having seizures. Epileptic crises vary in intensity and form, encompassing a wide spectrum of symptoms that can be subtle or dramatic.

The clinical manifestations of epileptic crises are divided into two main categories: focal crises and generalized crises. Focal crises, which occur in a specific area of the brain, can result in symptoms such as involuntary movements in one part of the body or alterations in sensory perception. Absence crises, which are a type of generalized crisis, are characterized by moments of attention diversion, where the person may seem to be “zoned out” for brief moments. Additionally, there is the tonic-clonic crisis, with rhythmic movements and loss of consciousness, often associated with the popular image of seizures.

• Focal crises: Localized manifestations that can affect movement, perception, or emotions.
• Absence crises: Brief interruptions of consciousness, followed by an immediate return to activity.
• Tonic-clonic crises: The most well-known form, with vigorous muscle contractions and loss of consciousness.

These variations show that the term “epileptic crisis” is an umbrella, encompassing a diversity of experiences that require understanding and empathy.

Seizure: The Most Visible Type of Crisis

A seizure is a specific type of epileptic crisis, marked by intense and visible motor manifestations. When someone experiences a seizure, the classic symptoms include rhythmic muscle spasms and body stiffness, which can be quite impactful for those observing. These events can be compared to a storm with lightning and thunder: the seizure is the most dramatic and well-known expression of epileptic crises, while the ‘storm’ represents the broader concept of crisis.

This analogy helps to understand that, although every seizure is indeed a crisis, not every epileptic crisis manifests in this way. Crises can vary greatly in their symptoms and severity, ranging from subtle episodes, like absence crises, to full seizures that capture the attention of everyone around.

The popularity of interpreting seizures as synonymous with epileptic crises stems from their dramatic and immediate appearance, which ends up obscuring the variety of manifestations that these conditions can have. Understanding this difference is crucial for demystifying neurological conditions and promoting a more informed dialogue about epilepsy and its different types of crises.

The Relationship Between Stress and Neurological Crises

In the context of neurological crises, the relationship between stress and the occurrence of epileptic crises is significant. Emotional factors such as chronic stress and anxiety can serve as triggers that lower the threshold for crises in predisposed individuals, especially those diagnosed with epilepsy. Stress, while not causing epilepsy, can increase the frequency of crises by altering neuronal excitability.

When we are under stress, our body releases hormones like cortisol, which directly influences the nervous system. This release can disrupt sleep and affect mental health, creating a vicious cycle that worsens the situation. Sleep deprivation, in turn, is a well-documented risk factor for the occurrence of epileptic crises.

Scientific hypnosis emerges as a promising tool in this scenario. As we often state, ‘everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help.’ Hypnosis can be used to develop emotional regulation techniques and stress management, assisting in the quality of life of patients who suffer from crises. By working with these emotional aspects, hypnosis can enhance the results of conventional treatments and provide additional relief, helping these individuals cope better with their conditions.

Scientific Hypnosis in Well-Being Management

Scientific hypnosis emerges as a valuable complementary tool in integrated health care, especially in managing emotions and stress. Although hypnosis does not directly treat epilepsy, it addresses the emotional triggers that can affect the quality of life of patients. Training professionals can learn to use hypnosis to help their patients develop emotional regulation strategies. This occurs, in part, due to hypnosis’s ability to promote a state of deep relaxation and focus, allowing for a new perspective on stressful situations.

When aligned with practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnosis can facilitate the modification of automatic thoughts and behaviors related to anxiety. This integration enhances the results of conventional treatments, providing patients with tools to cope with daily stressors. Hypnosis helps access and restructure emotional responses, contributing to the construction of a more balanced and resilient mental state.

It is important to emphasize the importance of ethics in the practice of hypnosis. Every professional must respect their scope of practice, using hypnosis responsibly and in conjunction with other evidence-based approaches. In this way, professionals can improve the patient experience, ensuring a care path that prioritizes emotional well-being, always within the limits of ethics and science.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we have unveiled the fundamental difference between seizure and epileptic crisis. We understand that the epileptic crisis is the central neurological event — an atypical electrical discharge in the brain — while the seizure is one of its possible manifestations, the most recognized for its motor symptoms. This distinction is not mere semantic preciousness; it is the basis for a more precise, empathetic, and effective dialogue with patients, deconstructing fears and stigmas associated with these conditions.

For you, who seek a career dedicated to helping people, this knowledge is a pillar. It allows you, as a future professional, to guide correctly and understand your client’s experience in its entirety. Recognizing that a patient may have crises without showing seizures broadens your field of vision and sensitivity to the multiple signals indicating a need for care, including in the realm of emotional health.

We reinforce here one of our fundamental principles: everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help. Neurological crises, in many cases, are sensitive to emotional triggers. By learning to manage stress and anxiety through evidence-based techniques, such as clinical hypnosis, patients gain a powerful tool to improve their quality of life. Hypnosis does not cure the neurological condition but empowers the individual to better manage their response to factors that may aggravate their condition.

Scientific hypnosis enhances health treatments, offering professionals an ethical and effective way to promote emotional well-being. By integrating this competence into your practice, you become a more complete change agent, capable of offering truly holistic care that considers the inseparable connection between mind and body.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even to have a new profession? Discover the training and postgraduate courses in evidence-based hypnosis from the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link: https://www.hipnose.com.br/cursos/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between seizure and epileptic crisis?

A seizure is a specific motor manifestation of an epileptic crisis. Every seizure is considered an epileptic crisis, but not every epileptic crisis translates into visible seizures. For example, absence crises do not present motor movements and are less known.

What are the types of epileptic crises?

There are several types of epileptic crises, primarily categorized into focal and generalized crises. Focal crises occur in a specific area of the brain, while generalized crises, such as tonic-clonic, affect the entire brain and are more dramatic. Absence crises are brief and involve attention diversion.

How does stress affect people with epilepsy?

Stress can be a triggering factor for crises in people with epilepsy, lowering the threshold for crisis occurrence. While stress does not cause epilepsy, it can increase the frequency of crises due to changes in neuronal excitability and cortisol levels.

What is scientific hypnosis?

Scientific hypnosis is a tool used for managing emotions and stress. It promotes a state of relaxation and focus, allowing patients to develop emotional regulation strategies. This complementary approach can help improve the quality of life for those suffering from epileptic crises.

Can hypnosis cure epilepsy?

Hypnosis does not cure epilepsy, but it can help manage emotional and stress factors that aggravate crises. Integrating hypnosis into treatment can enhance the patient’s response, providing tools to better cope with stressful situations, thus improving quality of life.