Posted by margaretmarburg on July 27, 2001, at 3:49:30
In reply to Re: Hallucinating, Dissociating? -TLE, posted by Else on July 26, 2001, at 22:29:03
I don't know much about TLE but it sounds a lot like a migraine aura to me, especially the shimmering.
> > > Maybe someone can give her some help:
> > >
> > > > I am female, 25 yo, under psychiatric care for several years. My current medications are Ativan during the day and Xanax and Sonata at bedtime for several diagnoses including BPD, depression, anxiety, and anorexia.
> > > >
> > > > Although I often have dissociative symptoms, I have recently had two instances of something more. I have on two occasions, seen what I thought were bugs on the wall and on my shower curtain. They seem to shimmer or sparkle or flash in many colors before my eyes and during the time, I believe that they are real. Then they suddenly disappear. Blinking does not make them go away.
> > > >
> > > > The episode occurs over a period of 20 seconds or so but leaves me shaken and in tears. I am not necessarily phobic, but I hate any sort of insect, arachnoid, etc. The thought of dozens or hundreds of bugs before my eyes is terrifying. While I am not in that place, I know that what happened was not real.
> > > >
> > > > I am terrified. What is going on? I am not using illicit drugs, and I never have. Am I hallucinating or is this simply dissociation or an occurence of stress? Is this an indication of psychosis? Please, someone, explain what is happening to me.
> > > >
> > > > Katt
> >
> > Katt,
> > Sounds a lot like mild Temporal Lobe seizures, which can be scary if you don't know about TLE. .. almost "psychedelic". . one of the common symptoms is almost like seeing things out of the corner of your eye, others are migraine-like auras, shimmering. . .others are deja vu, strange tastes or smells.
> >
> > This is often the cause, when the illusion, whatever it is, is temporary, and there is no loss of consciousness.
> >
> > Zo
>
> I agree, it sounds neurological. Very much like a partial seizure. You should see a neurologist. It's probably not psychosis but only a doctor could tell you for sure.
poster:margaretmarburg
thread:71917
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010725/msgs/72019.html