EEG Testing?

Hi, Im new here, this is my first post so please let me know if I make any forum mistkes that are against rules etc! thanks.
I was wondering if anyone has ever had extended EEG testing done for DID? I am going to hospital tomorrow and going to be hooked up for 3 days and with the help of my dr. going to be monitored when I am myself vs others.
First off, I am wondering what exactly the test does? (if anyone knows). Im sort of exited to see but I honestly have no clue what changes in my brain and what they see on the EEG.

If anyone has any knowledge or experience, it would be great to hear. I am super anxious about it because some of the others dont like being touched let alone having something hooked to the head for a days.

cheers all,

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPop

Welcome here
It's nice to meet you

I never have but it sounds very interesting.
I hope you're able to go through it without too many triggers.
Have you explained to your others what they might expect?

Best of luck

I had an EEG recently. They're probably testing to rule out epilepsy versus psychological issues. For me, it's both. I have both psuedoseizures (provoked by body memories) and complex partial seizures (provoked by having epilepsy). If you have epilepsy they can get it under control with medications and then treat the psychological aspects. If you don't then they can treat the psychological aspects easier.
Complex partial seizures can present and you can seem like you aren't yourself and that's what they may be trying to determine.

The test itself will be used to measure your brainwaves.
On an epileptic level, they will be looking for something called epileptiform brainwaves. For me, I have what are known as epileptiform sharp waves in my left temporal lobe. It means that when I have seizures they often start on that side of my brain and then spread from there. If you've ever seen a chart showing an earthquake, that's sort of it looks like. Normal brainwaves move up and down somewhat, but seizures look like an earthquake and there is some difference between seizure types but I don't know enough to tell you more

On a DID level, there apparently is some difference when people switch, but I don't know what that looks like at all. Apparently there is a documentary about it. I believe it is called The Woman with 15 Personalities. It might be available on Youtube, but I don't know.

Either way, bring yourself a lot to read/draw/do and wear lots of button up shirts as those will be the easiest to change in and out of based on how they will hook you up to the machine. They may try to keep you up odd hours the first day or two, or have ride an exercise bike or something strange to try to provoke an epileptic episode, but you'll get through it.

Good luck to you with your testing.

Hi and welcome! I hope the testing goes well. I've never had one done (for DID, anyway. I think I had one during a sleep study, if that's the same testing they use.) And if you can, could you let us know the results? I'm really curious. May I ask why it's being done?

Good luck!

Just saw LittleRedDogToo's post: that probably answers my last question.

Hello Pop. I don't know why your doctors want to do EEG monitoring on you. What do your doctors say? Are they trying to rule out epilepsy or some other organic condition? Or are they doing research?

There have been several medical research journal articles recently about EEG monitoring in people with dissociative symptoms (people not necessarily diagnosed with DID or any dissociative disorder). The current research is very preliminary, not even to the point of formal hypothesis testing.

HI EVERYONE!

I just got back from the shop and I saw all of your replies and was just so happy! thank you thank you!!

Ill try to reply to all one at a time if thats okay?

lifelongthing: Doktor has explained and demonstrated but I dont think theyre all so down with it. Its slightly confusing because at the hospital they are speaking Norwegian, and not all of us speaks Norwegian TThe demonstration was dr touching my head and the thought of electricity on the head was a bit scary though.
Apparently all are on board at this point, but i am worried out of my mind that someone's' going to rip off the electrodes and perhaps stick them to other things or break the machine or something.
we'll see! thanks



LittleRedDogToo: woooow thank you so much for all the information, very informative!
I looked up the video on YouTube, ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aBPk46ZmV0 )
thank you for the advice about the clothes i didnt even think about that bit!


AlteredArt :I was actually thinking, maybe should photo document and write about the entire thing and share it on here because maybe it will help someone else?
Im having it because ive had multiple seizures through out my life and over the past few years ive had a higher frequency of them and also my driving license was revoked and I will get it back if the eeg show that I have dissociative seizures vs epileptic ones (I had a nocturnal tonic clonic seizure 4 years ago and since then various other types according to the hospital ...but still, they are unsure as ll the simple in and out eegs have been normal thus far) my dr is convinced they are diss' seizures, so he'll be there to help me switch, and the epilepsy people will be observing for other seizure activity.
I will try to document all!

-- Thu May 02, 2013 12:15 am --

Una+ Hi, The hospital is testing for epilepsy, my dr is a specialist in dissociative disorders so I think his end of it is his research..and he's a super curious person as well
Its really strange the EEG things ive read make no sense.

Una+ wrote:Hello Pop. I don't know why your doctors want to do EEG monitoring on you. What do your doctors say? Are they trying to rule out epilepsy or some other organic condition? Or are they doing research?

There have been several medical research journal articles recently about EEG monitoring in people with dissociative symptoms (people not necessarily diagnosed with DID or any dissociative disorder). The current research is very preliminary, not even to the point of formal hypothesis testing.

PatM wrote:AlteredArt :I was actually thinking, maybe should photo document and write about the entire thing and share it on here because maybe it will help someone else?

I think that could be very helpful, but only if you want to and it wouldn't make things more stressful for you. I know you're already really anxious, and I wouldn't want you to be even more so. Also, I believe it's not allowed here to post pictures of yourself (for privacy reasons). I guess that might make it impossible, but you could try cropping out your face. (Like, a picture that shows the eeg apparatus from the forehead up, or something. At least, I think that would be allowed).

And thank you for answering my question. I hope it goes well!

If it helps, Pat, here's a great video of what a non-epileptic seizure looks like:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1184694-clinical

And a video of what a potential partial seizure (usually what they look for in adults with potential diss seizures):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e10FSjHvV74

Doktor has explained and demonstrated but I dont think theyre all so down with it. Its slightly confusing because at the hospital they are speaking Norwegian, and not all of us speaks Norwegian

So you are in a Norwegian hospital? Are there other parts of yourself that can help translate for the ones who don't speak Norwegian?

but i am worried out of my mind that someone's' going to rip off the electrodes and perhaps stick them to other things or break the machine or something.

They are doing this and are well-aware you have DID. I'm sure they will think of the precautions they need I've had several rounds of 24h+ EKG testing and I was scared one of the littles or one of the more traumatized ones would come out but it's gone well each time. Just take time to explain and try to relax - this would decrease the risk of someone coming out and reacting adversely

Best of luck

Don't worry overly much about what might happen to the electrodes - either by you in a seizure or a little (or combative part). They're prepared for this and there will be a minder to help you. During seizures I have automatisms in which I tend to pick at whatever I happen to have at hand. If I'm wearing clothes with buttons I try to pull the buttons off my clothes. If I have on electrodes I try to pull off the electrodes. Similarly, I have littles who don't like having things glued to their heads. Because I've had to have multiple tests where I've had to have things glued to my head, we've been able to make deals at this point in time and now have a reward system, but the docs can deal with it. Don't worry too much.