Not sure where to categorize these questions, here or psychology.  I am epileptic and spiritual (but agnostic), but wondering if my need for spirituality can be caused by epilepsy.  In my 21 years living with epilepsy, I only had ONE hallucination soon after a tonic-clonic (sp?), and it had nothing to do with "god".  \n\n1]  Are epileptics generally more prone to having spiritual or religious experience than non-ep's?  Do they report such experiences?\n\n2]  I have heard of the "God Spot" (on some atheist websites) but knowing religion and lack thereof, people can be biased. I am wondering if the theory of "God Spot" have been proven or disproven?\n\n3]  Also, might it be that the need for spirituality depends on the severity (or mildness) of the person's epilepsy that may cause the need for spirituality?\n\n4]  For those with seizure disorders but not epilepsy, are they also more prone to having/needing spiritual experience?
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It is specifically temporal lobe epilepsy which has been related to "religious" experiences.  If you want to learn more, try Googling on that exact phrase, + / or on the name Ramachandran, as he continues to do research on "the God Spot".\n\nThey have put praying Franciscan nuns and meditating Buddhist monks into brain scanners, and saw the "God Spot" light up.\n\nSimilar brain effects occur during orgasm (but less intense, apparently).  This has interesting implications for anyone who is interested in Tantra; this is not just about sex, but about learning to manipulate one's own brain states.  OK... apparently, the traditional training uses sex, in early stages especially, but an adept can get past needing such props.  (or so I read!)\n\nThe westernised / Christianised version was called Carezza, if you are interested.
274062
That might be one possible answer, but not the only one. There is plenty about this on the internet. Some people who had schizophrenia and epileptic seizures used to be thought of as being possessed by the divine force. The gods helped explain things that people didn't understand, and religion helped to unity people. There are a hundred answers to this question. Google it.
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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.
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"I am sorry but I had to answer in response to the "believing in things you cannot see is called hallucinating" comment. I was always taught that "hallucinating" was seeing things that aren't really there. Which is not necessarily brought on by mental illness. Sometimes it is something as simple as a fever, or drugs.\nNot believing in thing that you can not see. I believe in the wind... something I can not see. By this logic most people alive have a mental illness."\n\nBefore I answer the question I want to address this post.  If hallucinating is seeing something that is not there? Than can you explain a belief in something you've never seen?  Don't give me the canned answer of " I see God in the beautiful sky" or "God has helped me" those answers are in no way proving to you that there is a God. They are just reassuring you that you have faith in God. Faith and Reality are not the same thing.  You say that sometimes you can't see the wind but you know it's there. How?   perhaps it is because it is a part of reality. You can feel it on you face. You can see it when it blows trees around. You can harness it to make energy. \n\n\nAs far as the site goes.  The point of the sight is that faith in God is pointless. They prove it by using science.  There is no way to compare science and faith. All you can do is test faith like you do science, and when you do don't make up lame reasons for why your faith failed. ie..... "God is mysterious" or "you don't really believe"  there is no way to prove how much someone believes, just like there is no way to prove that god is there.\n\n\nOne more thing\n\n"You would do better to go to Christian message boards\nDon't go to unbelievers\nThis is a good site and will teach you about all the things you need to know about others that don't believe and cults and false religion"\n\nThat is the point. Christin's are so unsure of themselves that they refuse to test their God.  Don't challenge your faith, but instead surround yourself with only those that think like you. \n\nWant to find out the real truth about religion and God? \n\nThan ask someone who has thought it out rationally and logically.\n\nNot someone who will disconnect themselves from common sense in order to appease there inner need for a father/mother figure.
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Your beliefs are more important than the beliefs of people on this website.  \n\nYou may find this book helpful: "The Biology of Belief".  It is written by Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.  Dr. Lipton is a cell biologist and former professor at Stanford Medical School.\n\nHere is a quote from the cover: "Stunning new scientific discoveries about the biochemical effects of the brain's functioning show that all the cells of your body are affected by your thoughts.  The author, a renowned cell biologist, describes the precise molecular pathways through which this occurs."\n\nThe book is available at Amazon.com\n\nBest wishes and good luck.
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This is such a sensitive question. I admire you for standing by your man in this way. It is the right thing to do. And I would get in touch with the national epilepsy foundation. I know there are resources and maybe even support groups for families or couples dealing with this issue. It is not that uncommon you know. I have actually helped someone when this happened to them. It is a little scary at first, but it is also such a loving time to be there for another human being when they obviously need you. Get some more info. Get into a network of support. I know you will be a great friend.
299842
Well, in so far as religions are concerned you might like to do a web-search on spiritualist churches. They believe in ghosts, spirit communications, and a wide variety of paranormal things. You'll also find wide acceptance of such things in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Wicca. For myself I don't need hard evidence, just a logical premise. That's good enough for me. And I don't discount emotions in such things. Logic has its place. So do emotions. So as often as not I follow my feelings, just as I often follow my thinking.
512904
Seizures are the result of hyperactivity in the brain. Our brain cells are constantly firing electrical signals; seizures occur when there is too much of that activity. Sometimes it's due to "over" communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Either way, have they seen a doctor? If not...they certainly should. They may be able to find a medication that will help them.
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You might, despite the scanning and probing (you poor dear) be an epileptic. It is typically uncommon for those without epilepy to have GRAND MAL seizures. This does not show up on any scans and not through blood work (though the low lymph count could be a side effect if I recall) If this seizure was your first, and hopefully will be your last, then it's doubtful that you are an epileptic. If you have another seizure, however, then you may want to see a general practitioner who can refer you to a specialtist (most likely a neurologist). My mother's an epileptic, who started having seizures when she was 15, with no family history. I'm 19 and have yet to seize, but have subtle symptoms of neurological heredity (tremors, migranes, etc.) Good Luck in Finding Your Answers! I hope this one helped.
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yes, my daughter has suffered with this since she was 6, for 7 years medication controlled the seizures, and for the last 3, for no apparent reason, the medication has lost much of it's effectiveness, even though she has been on several. she has had 3 mri's, a pet scan, and ct's, which all show nothing abnormal. however, the eeg, and video eeg all show a right side focus, but cannot pinpoint where or why it happens. it could be something organic in her brain to begin with, or possibly hereditary, as my niece has also had seizures. it can be very frustrating when there is no apparent reason for the seizures, be it something organic or an injury. i'm sure by now you have seen a neurologist, and if it is an ongoing thing, i would discuss medication with him, and the medication is effective in 98% of people with epilepsy. good luck, the best thing is to be there for her, and help her through this.
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Yes sounds like it. My daughter has it and is now on medication. The Medication these days are fantastic. From the sounds of it you will be able to get it under control and when you are old enough you will be able to drive if it is controlled. One useful tip I thought was great, when you have a bath(which it is not uncommon to have a fit with the heat) tie a small string around you big toe and the plug, and if you do have a fit you will kick the plug out. Good luck for the Future   By the way please don't let the first answerer scare you. It is very rare for this to be dangerous.If you take the right precautions talk to the epilepsy foundation they will be able to help you too.
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if the person has been on a regular medication regimen and has been able to keep their stress level down.  then that may be the cause for no seizures.  Hormone levels can effect it, and stress also.  any major and sometimes minor changes in the body can cause a seizure.  It depends on the person.  that is great that the seizures have not been coming for that long.  It is a great sign that the person is doing something right for themselves to prevent them.  I grew up with close family member with epilepsy and any change in their body would cause a seizure.  She has not had one in that long herself.  But she has been able to get the right medication regimen down and she does not have alot of hormonal fluctuations anymore.
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Always with the trick questions.\nNietzsche would deny his emotions and claim that faith is a poor substitute for reason.\nA wealthy televangelist would play your emotions to ply money from you "for the good of the Kingdom."\nA shrink might tell you that your faith or lack of faith is not connected to your ego driven seeking of Divinity.\nAn atheistic neurobiochemist will tell you that emotions are just synaptic chemicals effecting your brain cells.\n\nIf one seeks Divinity then Hate, Anger, Greed, Lust, Sloth, Gluttony and similar emotions can do little to help.  On the other hand, how can one claim to have Faith or Know Divinity without knowing Love?  These have nothing to do with cause and effect, but they do have a high degree of correlation.
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My daughter suffers from seizures and she is much more likely to have seizures just before she menstruates.  It's just something about the hormones causing more activity in the brain.  I don't really understand it, but I know it's true.  Another thing that affects her is overworking herself.  Doing too much at one time.  when I'm around her, I try to keep her from too much strenuous activity.
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It is important to consider how the religious belifs are manifesting themselves...for example, if the client believes he/she is being spoken to by a higher power through fuzz on an off television station, it is most likely pathological.\nAlso, regardless of whether their religious belief system is "pathological" or not, if it causing problems int he clients everyday life, there is a problem.
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Deja Vu. It is French for already seen. I don't believe in it myself. I have heard it explained as your mind mixing memories of real past events with elements of the new experience. I am not sure if I find that really believable either.\nhttp://people.howstuffworks.com/question657.htm\n\nIn this article they note the age point. This might be a normal event in a maturing brain. I would not let the mention of epilepsy scare you because people with no epilepsy get it too.
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i'm with you on this dude.but you must understand the difference between spiritual and religious. the religious person ignores his experience on the basis books they believe in. a true spiritualist leaves his/her believes when he has experience something other then what is written in books. follows the path of his heart, seeks light from with in, and understands that there no wrong or right till he/her decides that it is. seeks understanding from all walks of life.  god is far too big to understood by one, two or three types of understanding. Zen talks.com meditation groups, spiritualist church( this church is for all seeker. no dogma is preach. but some rule are asked of participant. 1;to love fully 2;to respect all life, cause all life is sacred. 3;truth is the only path to your divinity. trust your feelings, and always be joyous. life and God is the same thing. best of luck, on you way home. peace, love, joy be with you always.