Brief Answer:
Nonepileptic seizures do not cause violence.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Healthcare Magic!

Non-epileptic seizures are those in which there is no electrical seizure activity in the brain but the symptoms mimic seizures in the form of involuntary movements. These are also called pseudo-seizures and are not associated with violence. They are treated by behavioral measures and not by anticonvulsant medicines. However, from your description, it appears that by this term "non-epileptic seizures", you are referring to episodes of abnormal behaviour which are seizures but not associated with abnormal involuntary movements as typically seen in seizures. These episodes, if accompanied by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are true seizures and may cause violent activities. They happen because the area of brain that is involved is not the one that controls for body movements but controls other things like thoughts. They are treated with anticonvulsant medicines.

If I have understood correctly and it is the second type that you meant, then one must first be sure that the abnormal behavior is not due to mental illness, but is indeed a seizure. From the description you have given, it appears that he is hallucinating. Although this may happen in temporal lobe seizures as well, but when it is due to seizures, the person behaves normally the rest of the time. Also, in people with temporal lobe seizures, the brain imaging tests like CT and MRI often are able to detect abnormalities in the temporal lobes. Since he is also disturbed and aggressive at other times, has social disinhibition and sleep difficulty as well, I feel that these symptoms are not due to seizures, but due to mental illness. These will improve with medications that alter behavior, some of which he is already taking as you mentioned.

Hope this helps you. Please feel free to ask if you need any clarifications.

Best wishes.

Dr Preeti Parakh
MD Psychiatry

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