Religious devotion or epilepsy?
438247
As a Christian with epilepsy, I'd like to have a say on this one.  There is definitely a difference between being filled with the Spirit and having a seizure.  \n\nFor one thing, being filled with the Spirit is a continuous thing that is always happening, and something that ALL believers exprience.  It is spiritual, and not physical.  \n\nFor another thing, with a Grand Mal seizure (the uncontrolled shaking), you actually don't experience anything since you are completely unconscious.  Religious charismatics who fall down shaking are not unconscious, and are aware of what they are experiencing.\n\nAs to people saying that having a seizure is a "religious" experience, well...it does feel pretty wierd.  These are the Petit Mal seizures we're talking about.  You're conscious when they happen, and might not even realize it is a seizure at all.  To those who don't really know God, it might seem like a spiritual experience.  But in truth, there is such a big difference between a seizure and an experience of a spiritual nature that they cannot be compared.\n\nHow a person (and their brain)responds to the the manifestations of the Spirit may look to scientists to be very similar as an epileptic seizure.  But that makes sense, since it is God who created the way the human brain works.  And whether having a seizure or experiencing a manifestation of the Spirit, we are still limited to our physical bodies.\n\nAs one with experience with both, I can tell you that even though a manifestation of the Spirit and an epileptic seizure may look the same, they are not.
904081
Registered Nurse here; Yes Dear you see a Physician Immediately.  As for a seizure, I have read your question 3 times, sounds like a seize, except for one thing, you remained awake during the entire spell, correct? That's what's confusing me, I have seen hundreds of seizures, and I'm unable to recall ever seeing a patient remain aware of there surroundings during and immediately following a seize.  Now saying you were zoned out, this is certainly what we call post dictal, and follows a seizure.  But Sweetheart, your health is far to important for me to speculate here on Yahoo, having a history of seizures, and with this latest episode, you already know, it is indeed time to return to the doctor.  Thank you for allowing me to address such an important and sensitive question.
243142
It depends on the sect.  Some still don't believe it and chalk it up to demonic possession.  But most see it for what it is, an illness that needs proper treatment.
298210
it may mean supernatural...ask your doctor
1113765
Like you I pray daily that God would lift me into his arms and carry me home; but then he reminds me that he's not through with what he has for me to do.  I have seizures, as many as 4 to 5 a day, and therefore may lose as many as six hours a day of memory - it is very hard for me as I'm constantly wondering if I even had a day, but knowing full well that I am God's daughter and that the Holy spirit resides within me, and knowing that "I" feel like a burden to my family, God is teaching far greater lessons to those around me.  We may not always like the situation God places us in or how he allows our flesh to be used, but our Spirit is his, so who are we to be anything less than content.  That might not bring you much comfort other than to know you are not alone - you have my permission to contact me if you would like to share more personally you're experiences, as God has had me writing poetry for 20 years that deals with so many issues that I'm sure it is no coincidence he has had me online at this point in time to answer your question.  Heavenly Father, I empathize with this one as you know I too beg with each unconscious state to slip on into your abode, but you keep rudely(!) sending me back to these who I love and who are still needing taught of your mercy and grace, and I am glad each time you send someone into my life, as I can no longer get out, to share how wonderful and merciful you are!  Bring a contentment and peace that passeth understanding into this ones life as you have mine. Amen.
192767
Many people with mental illness have a high degree of religiosity.  In the United States and other majority-Christian countries, that is likely to track to fervent Christian beliefs, but that's just demographics; there is nothing inherent in Christian beliefs more than any other religious belief systems to attract people living with mental illness.\n\nThere are several reasons for this:\n(1)  Some illnesses, particularly the manic phase of bipolar disorder, actually appear to intensify religious fervor in people; preoccupation with religious themes and spiritual thoughts & feelings is one possible manifestation of some psychotic disorders like mania or certain schizophrenic conditions;\n(2)  People with mental illness are often exposed to strong religious convictions, because so much of their personal care systems when they are not hospitalized involve "faith systems"; in other words, homeless people with mental illness are very likely to be frequently fed, clothed, housed, and counseled by faith-based organizations and charities, and often the free meals come with preaching and prayer, so this has an impact on their perception of what "healthy" people believe and want to hear;\n(3)  Spirituality is one of the last personal strengths people are left when many forms of empowerment are taken from them because of severe illness or the realities of hospitalization--long after you can't take care of your own money, healthcare, and business decisions, you are still in charge of your own spiritual destiny, so that makes it very important to chronically hospitalized people;\n(4)  Many evangelists deliberately target vulnerable people to hear their comparatively extreme version of their faith, and that means that psychologically impressionable mentally ill people are often deluged with religious proselytizing by the more fervent, vocal, and even at times fanatical elements of any given faith community;\n(5)  Religiosity, with its endorsement of the miraculous/magical dimension of life, resonates with the experience of psychotic people, whose delusions and hallucinations also keep them in touch with that miraculous and magical dimension of life.  In other words, when you hear all day that you are psychotic because you believe that demons possess your neighbors, it can be very reassuring to know that Jesus, too, believed in demons, and cast them out of people.  Religion is a safer place for those who believe in things that are, empirically speaking, not there.  The challenge is to encourage them to maintain their spiritual beliefs but ground them in a reality-based perspective that does not lead them into behaviors that hurt themselves or others.  (In other words, believing in demons is okay, but walking naked down the street to cast the demons out of pedestrians is not...)\n\nHope this helps.
36478
a seizure is a hereditary disease. there aare  many kinds, and two main ones are pettimal and grammal. pettimal is when your eyes roll up and you blank out unintensionally for a few seconds-min. the people who have them dont realize anythings wrong if they haven't had a EEG. grammal is the convulcious deadly kind and you are unconcious during them. pettimals can lead to these. there asre many more kinds. natural cures rarely happen if you dont take medicine. sometimes if you do, it goes away, sometimes it doesnt. any food that has potassium, especially bananas can help, not cure though. (sadly enough)
398774
http://www.webmd.com/hw/epilepsy/hw82024.asp
676505
No.  \n\nThis is the biggest misconception about this disorder.  Did you know that fewer than 15% percent of people with TS ever display this symptom?  It is not a required symptom for a TS diagnosis.\n\nIs having an epileptic fit a sin?  PLEASE!
1090331
i'm not christian i'm pagan. i don't call it sixth sense though. ever since i was little i would have dreams that would come true all the time. that diminished somewhat as i grew older but i still get them occasionally. i can also tell when people are behind me and if i stood on a street with my back to every one i can tell how many people are behind me. i can also read playing cards, although i've never been able to read tarot. and i can tell what's going on with people, like if some one is far away i can think of them and know how they are doing. that's really helpful right now cuz my friend is in iraq.
597059
Sounds like petit mal epilepsy but I'm no expert. You should get a PET scan of your brain and talk to a neurologist soon.
81028
I am Christian and I don't practice magic, but am interested. I do know that this is the holiday which follows the Roman celebration of Winter Solstice, where the days are getting longer and the sun is returning from battle with darkness (so goes the mythology). I have not read much about Imbolgc, though, except that is something about the celebration of the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. I'll read up more on it. I have a question for you. Have you ever been able to achieve anything with your practice? I've never run into anyone who actually practiced anything other than Wicca, and I'm curious. I'm not actually interested in learning it, just in learning about it and what you've actually been able to do. And is this more than just a fun thing for you. Is it a spirituality of sorts for you? I'm learning about several belief backgrounds and I'd like to learn something from you. I do know a little about alot of religions, but not pagan traditions.
644158
Considering your catholic up bringing it's great that you are being logical and looking at this objectively, not running around screaming 'I have seen the light!' \nThe fact that you were dozing does make this experience less reliable- I myself have the weirdest  dream-sort-of-things in the realm between sleep and wake, and hear voices often. It is often just your brain processing the days events and getting bits muddled. Also, I would imagine God would have something a little more useful to say than; 'I AM GOD'.\nThen again, you never know. Don't ignore that this happened, but don't set about changing your life because of it.
963587
I had always known I had a form of epilepsy. My child has always known he has epilepsy. For someone who has just been diagnosed it might be a depressing thing?\nEpilepsy is a life threatening disease. I do remember a new drug I was put on when in middle school, early teens. I was so out of it that I quit taking the medication to my parents horror! It made me feel "out of it". School work is something that suffered at the time a great deal. I choose not to be on medication for this and do not have grand mals to much...My child is on medication two times a day for the last 8 years. I would like him to be medication free some day....\nYour friend has to deal with her diagnoses. She has to realize that ANY stress on the body (who doesn't have stress right?) can bring someone into a seizure. Depression being a huge stress on the body, which might bring on a seizure which sometimes puts one into the hospital......the cycle continues. \nPlease do not ever leave your friend!! This is a very lonely thing to have! People can not see on the outside anything is wrong, Therefore nothing is wrong with you right? People in society can be VERY cruel. This has been my experience. People who do not no any better do not realize people with seizures get tired, get edgy and get cranky. This is not something one means to do...\nPeople with depression tend to "self medicate" with alcohol or drugs. Being a epileptic this is a VERY big no no!! Social situations can be a no no. Athletics can be a no no. Depending on how sever her seizures are.\nI was in athletics as well as a very active youth with only a couple accidents. Tell her just to be careful!\nBe her friend! Learn yourself about seizures and what to do when your friend goes into one. This is a very scary thing for all epileptics, is when one goes into a seizure. I am told I should not be embarrassed when I go into one in public, but I still am. I am trying hard to let my youngest child who is 11 have a normal life. It is hard not to be very protective, and/or to protect him from my bad experiences, knowing in todays society more people no about seizures then the 60's-70's. \nGood luck and just asking this question for your friend tells me you are a keeper as far as a friend!
1179899
This conditon is called "AKINETIC EPILEPSY". But it is not fits or any other serious ailment.It gradually disappears with age.Empathy is all that he needs.
42252
I think you may be referring to pseudo seizures, which is like the sensation of having seizures, but truly do not.  Many people suffer from this.  It is as if a person mimics symptoms of a seizure.   I am eplieptic and for a while my doc thought i was suffering from pseudo seizures, but if you want more info you should check out the epilepsyfoundation.org.  Hope this helps.  Take care.
876154
I'm not sure I understand all of your question, but so far as getting rid of the epilepsy- no, you can't.  Epilepsy is caused by a misfiring of the neurons in the motor control center of the brain.  It can be controlled to an extent by medication, but can't be eliminated entirely.   You will need medication for your entire life.  The tremors you describe may simply be the result of underlying tension about your disorder, although the tension could also trigger mild seizure activity in itself.\n  You need to talk to a neurologist about your epilepsy and your worries.  It may be they can adjust your medications, or even change to another type.   You are still quite young, and the sexual thoughts and feeling you are having are very normal in a young man.  There is nothing wrong with having them.  Perhaps you should consider having a relationship with a woman, dating, and even considering marriage someday.  Impotence would not be a desirable thing for you in that case.   Anything you could take that would affect you in that way might later prevent you from becoming a father, and that is not really something you would want.\n  To divert your attention from things, perhaps you should consider some form of physical exercise to put the hormones to use in a constructive manner.  Weight lifting, boxing, running, anything that would strenuous physical activity would be good.  I would also recommend meditation, as a means of gaining better control over yourself and your thoughts, and an excellent tool for calming oneself when it is needed.  These things should allow you to put your mind and hormones to a better use than simply concentrating on the problem you think you have and the epilepsy.