What is a pseudoseizure?

A pseudoseizure looks like a seizure, but has different brain activity than a seizure that is experienced by someone with epilepsy. A pseudoseizure is likely to have an underlying psychological cause, such as sexual abuse. If someone suffering from a non-epileptic seizure takes medication that is designed to treat epilepsy, that person risks harming their body. For instance, a pregnant woman who doesn't have epilepsy, but who is taking medication for it, may be at a higher risk of delivering a baby with birth defects.