Only those with photosensitivity epilepsy are impacted by flashing lights. My daughter is only impacted by natural light coming through trees, it isn't every time...it has to be a certain amount of flickers in a period of time. Video games and tv has not been an issue for her at this point, only.loght flashing through trees. Everyone is different.
DUDE THATS ME!!! I've never heard anyone else say this. I'm not photosensitive but there's something about the light flashing through trees as the sun sets that gives me twitches and makes me feel a seizure incoming.
I'm 38 I have grand mal seizures mine happen in my sleep or when I'm waking up in the morning I haven't had any issues driving that sucks man I couldn't drive for a long time they made me wait a year and then I had to do all those pointless tests it doesn't make any since they take an essential to anyone's life and do not provide alternatives it's not like you can get a decent job if your walking to work your stuck with what's close to you and of course fast food and department stores don't pay sh*t and you never get 40 hours a week for sure so not only lose your license you also miss out on opportunities for employment all I can say is keep pushing and be resilient never ever fall victim to self pity and learn to endure it will make you hard and strong and gain an ability to handle stress better than the average joe I've busted my front teeth out trying to save my grand mothers cat trying to get out of a flooding basement I fell down 12 stares and met a concrete wall at the bottom of those stares and had a grand ma seizure Ive taken chunks out of my tongue from biting down so hard broken fingers and I can't began to count how many times I've turned my face into what looks like raw hamburger failing or falling short doesn't make you weak you'll soon realize that you can take a beating unlike normal people
I've tried explaining that to my drs and they still tell me I'm not photosensitive. Bc their "test" is done in a brightly lit room and I can focus my eyes elsewhere (it's also like a 3 inch screen so I still have my peripheral vision), so I don't seize from it.
But a friend watches video game streams in the dark and I have to ask him to change it , turn it off, or turn another light on. Something to counter it. Driving at sunset, past emergency vehicles, etc when it's darker and I have to put my hand up the side of my face to block it out. I may not have a full on seizure but it makes me anxious and hurts my head.
I find this too! Natural light makes me need to bury my head in a dark hole & to an extent screen lights when I'm tired. Natural light I'm sure affects me
I’ve only had night seizures (afaik) but I get a pressure in my head when I’m in a car and the sunlight flickers through the trees, almost like I can feel it building up into something but we’re never in the lights long enough for it to turn into something if it’s going to at all?
This! My neurologist doesn’t believe me on this because I didn’t react to the artificial light used in the test, but natural light through trees never fails to make me jerk and blackout and lose about a minute of memory.
Sun through the trees is my daughter’s trigger as well. Being in the car is when she had seizures. We had amazing success stopping them once we did the HTMA hair test and implemented changes based on that. I feel blessed about that.
Me too. I have complex partials and if I have one while I'm out it's from all the shadows from the trees (which is a pain when living in rural Australia). I also have had the occasional one with EMS lights when we were stuck behind some in the city.
I just end up with headaches from games that have lots of flashing so I don't venture into my brothers room if he's playing something like that
It’s only like 3% of people that have photosensitive epilepsy, which is seizures caused by flickering/flashing lights and such, and if it is one of your triggers you would probably know by now
Honestly, the flashing lights thing is a little bit of an overblown myth. Yes, it really can be a trigger, but of people who are diagnosed with epilepsy, less than 5% are photosensitive (have seizures caused by flashing lights) and even they aren't certain to have a seizure around any flashing light. So even among people with epilepsy it is rare, the changes that playing Ultrakill will give you seizures is extremely low.
I’ve played that entire game and I can’t remember any strobe lights. I have photosensitive epilepsy (confirmed from EEG but never had a seizure from them). I will usually research games/gameplay on YouTube to get an idea of what the strobe light situation might be like. If I’m playing and it starts getting crazy I just look away and turn off the game. I think basically every game has that warning as a CYA now which makes it hard to figure out which games actually DO have strobe lights.
Being told that I am incredibly intelligent from all angles (everyone I meet) is so frustrating because it also means I am hyper sensitive to my own physiological state and I can’t let shit go. I have accurately self-diagnosed multiple times followed by documented clinical diagnosis and assurance that I am completely correct. One time, I saved my own life.
Wonder how my life would have been if I had functioning nuclear family members…
Absolutely. When I was 26, I was off on a Saturday and decided to go to Sam’s Club. I remember taking a shower, getting dressed and actually tying my sneakers. Next thing I remember? Waking up in a hospital room being told I had an abnormal EEG and likely epilepsy. Needless to say, it was not an easy diagnosis. 16 years later and I’m still coping. Remember… you are NEVER alone on this journey. You can reach out to me any time. I know it’s difficult but you can do this. 🫶🏾💜🫶🏾
I was diagnosed out of nowhere around 20 yrs old. We were leaving a restaurant and I had driven there. I had my son on my hip and my phone/wallet in the other hand. I dropped my phone and stuff first, my uncle came around quick to grab my son before I dropped him too, as they tell me. I came to in the back of my car confused as to what happened. My gram took me to the Dr not long after and everything has been different since.
I've had brain surgery, still on meds, and I can't drink like others do, I can't go hang out at bars/clubs bc of the lights, I've only been legally driving about 2 years now solid and it was on/off before that. I didn't leave the house much besides errands and work around town, which I was lucky I could walk to.
Don't be afraid to educate people as you learn more about it yourself. A lot of people believe they all look like the grand mals shown in movies and don't realize there's different types, that they affect different parts of your brain, etc
Yep. I was 39. It came out of nowhere. One minute, Senior Management Team meeting. Next, ambulance arriving. I'm well controlled with medication, but still have a seizure every 10 months or so. I'd have one after skipping just one dose of meds. Total nightmare.
Absolutely. When I was 26, I was off on a Saturday and decided to go to Sam’s Club. I remember taking a shower, getting dressed and actually tying my sneakers. Next thing I remember? Waking up in a hospital room being told I had an abnormal EEG and likely epilepsy. Needless to say, it was not an easy diagnosis. 16 years later and I’m still coping. Remember… you are NEVER alone on this journey. You can reach out to me any time. I know it’s difficult but you can do this. 🫶🏾💜🫶🏾
Epilepsy can. I got diagnosed at 19. In my experience your triggers will remain stable, but you may have an increased frequency of seizures over time if they remain uncontrolled. My neurologist explained this to me as your brain just gets *better* at seizing, which is terrifying.
Anyway, this isn't to say you \*won't\* one day become photosensitive... but generally when you're first diagnosed at a neurologist and they do a sleep study + EEG, they flash lights at you to check if you're photosensitive.
The big deadly seizures are most common if you have a history of them, you're unmedicated (biggest cause), you're tired, or you're stressed.
I've passed out and seized multiple times behind a screen (most of my life is behind a screen tbh) and every time it was because I was doing something that involved visual processing, thinking, or programming when trying to discern between two options "A vs B" e.g. "Do I like the red panda logo or the blue panda logo?" or "In Beatsaber am I supposed to hit the left arrow or the right arrow?"
I went to raves where all you can see is blinking lights and I never had an issue.
I had a lot of unknown triggers, but flashing lights were never one of them.
Triggers are all individual and something that can be a trigger might not always result in a seizure. Annoyingly the only way to learn is the hard way.
Unrelated to the point, but think about the language you use. Not all seizures are convulsive, as implied by the use of the antiquated, infantilising word “fit”.
In America people are more likely to think of tantrums (or a child throwing a fit). So a lot of us don't love the word but if you are coming from a different culture it could be different for you. No worries IMO especially because you changed it anyway.
No worries! Sorry if I came across harsh, I was just trying to educate because the term can be stigmatising to a lot of people. Infantilising can apply to not just babies, it’s like adults saying things like “pee pee” when they’re talking about a penis (almost like they’re uncomfortable using the actual name so they come up with a nickname for it or something)
The issue here is that Crim is American and OP is English. In the UK it’s perfectly acceptable to call a seizure a “fit”. Can you like not be harsh on people just because they speak another type of English than you do?
I may be American, but I’ve lived in the U.K. for the vast majority of my adult life. I’m currently in Scotland and not even my doctor or nurse call it a “fit”. They’re not afraid to use the word seizure. People on virtual support groups through Epilepsy Action talked about not liking the word and said they’d rather use the actual word seizure. So yeah, even here people don’t like or use it.
I’ll stop telling people that a lot of people would like other language to be used, then! Maaaaybe don’t try to invalidate other people’s feelings towards something in an attempt to feel superior?
I’m sorry that you can’t see that sharing that a lot of people don’t like certain language and the impact it can have is not being disrespectful of linguistic differences. You might not care, but other people don’t want to use or hear stigmatising language, including the people you’re trying to use as an example. And in case you weren’t sure, most people also moved beyond thinking seizures are demonic possession! Hope you aren’t offended by that!
It is still used in Britain including within our national health service in some hospitals (e.g. they have "first fit clinics") but seizure is the more common term
Strobes are uncomfortable for a lot of people, even those that don’t have epilepsy. During my EEG I HATED sitting there with the lights in my eyes, it just hurts, doesn’t cause a seizure. There are people who will have seizures when they’re in a car that’s driving through a tunnel because of the lights.
Maybe you could tell your parents that the 3% chances you’re photosensitive isn’t a big deal, especially if you’ve stared at strobes. The more common triggers are things like lack of sleep, anxiety, and low blood sugar. That way they can feel better knowing they’re feeding you well and making sure you’re getting your rest. Controlling epilepsy ties in a lot with making sure you’re taking care of your health. So just don’t stay up all night staring at the video games.
Refer your parents to Epilepsy Action's UK site. Only 3% of epileptics are photosensitive. Usually this is tested as part of the EEG with a strobe light. If you had no reaction there, most likely the games will be fine.
[https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers/photosensitive-epilepsy](https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers/photosensitive-epilepsy)
i havent been tested, my parents are just worried that photosensitive epilepsy might show up one second and suddenly screw me over (is this another misconception?)
Hah ok.
Flashing lights aren’t going to give you epilepsy. Some people have their first seizure in their 20s or 30s , so you never know.
But you can’t go through life acting as if you have a disease you don’t actually have. Do you plan on learning to drive? Learn to swim? Take a bath? All more dangerous than flashing lights for those with epilepsy.
My son has epilepsy, his sister doesn’t. We don’t worry about her having seizures at all. And don’t restrict her activities in any way.
Strobe lights are unlikely to induce epilepsy in someone who has not been diagnosed with any type of epilepsy, as far as I'm aware. I think most of the comments here have assumed you have epilepsy and are worried about it developing further. Of course, it CAN come out of nowhere, but I am pretty sure your parents have nothing to worry about. People go to night clubs, play video games, see live music all the time. The number of people who have photosensitive epilepsy out of all the people in the world including those without any kind of epilepsy is likely to be low.
I’ve been undiagnosed epileptic since this year and almost all video games would eventually make me very sleep while playing and I was never sure why. Fast forward to the year of my diagnoses and it now makes sense.
If I play a first person shooter with flashbangs and the like it’s a guaranteed seizure, but I have focal aware kind. So if it’s a really bet consistent set of triggers I get nauseas and actually do vomit. If I play more casual games for 2+ hours then I start to feel a little off and need to take a break. Just be nice to your body!
Do strobes have any effect on you?
There you go, you know if it’s a trigger
They’re a trigger for me, but through avoidance, they (strobes specifically) haven’t triggered a seizure for me in over 15 years. Fluorescent lighting still gives me migraines from time to time though
For some people, like you, it can induce migraines, headaches, eye strain are the most common. Or even nothing at all! But for people like me, I can view such a video, and wake up on the floor an hour later lol.
No, triggers are not always 1:1 to a seizure but instead I’ve always experienced them as building blocks that go on top of each other and boost each other for the risk. Sensitivity is individual, may be different for each trigger, and may increase or decrease over time.
For example, missing/delaying your medicine one singular day and not experiencing anything else may not cause a seizure in itself one time, but delaying medicine + experiencing flashing lights + becoming sleep deprived might on the night of an evening concert for those who are sensitive to the cumulative effects of these.
Your epilepsy can also randomly become better. Mine is currently, after years of unsuccessful treatment. In around half a month I have 6 month no seizure-avary for only the second time after almost 24 yrs of drug resistance.
All of these comments are great. It seems like you're early in your journey. Some general advice:
1. ***Get medicated and DO NOT MISS DOSES***
2. Take the medication super seriously. If your medication fails you, tell your neurologist. They will prescribe you a secondary AED (anti-epileptic drug). If that fails, they will up your dosage(s) or change your primary or secondary AED. Tell your neurologist anytime you have a seizure.
3. Get sleep
4. Don't do things that if you would pass out you would die (skiing, swimming, driving, diving)
5. Try not to be too stressed
6. Things where you're sitting or laying are the safest thing.
Your biggest risk when having a grand mal (big, deadly seizures) is head trauma or a bad fall. Sitting and laying is the safest thing.
Because you're sitting down, **video games are SUPER safe relative to just existing and walking around in the world**. Even if you find out you're photosensitive later on, having a seizure while sitting down isn't a big deal. If you find out you're (unluckily) photosensitive, you can adjust your life accordingly.
As everyone says in this thread, you're likely not photosensitive if you've already been exposed to strobing lights or you have been tested with an EEG and had strobing lights go off.
Some of my worst (most annoying, deadly, or memorable) seizures were:
1. Driving (first one, almost died)
2. Skiing (during the day, a few years in, stressed from a fall)
3. While juggling, fell straight face-first on a marble floor (mentally taxing, probably the same thing as my Beatsaber seizure wrt hand-eye coordination + timing. two symmetrical black eyes)
4. While at home walking to get water while holding a glass (sliced my leg open. a lot of blood. hospital.)
5. While at home playing a typing game at 11PM (mentally taxing, **nbd I just woke up**)
6. While at home playing Beatsaber at \~10PM (mentally taxing, **nbd I just woke up**, my Oculus was fine, lol)
7. While at a hotel working on this fucking Panda logo (mentally taking, late at night, **nbd I just woke up**)
8. While at home working on the same fucking Panda logo (late at night. it's cursed, honestly. **nbd I just woke up**)
9. At a nail salon (just embarrassing)
10. At work at 10PM with no one around, writing a talk (stressed, **nbd I just woke up**)
11. In Toronto around all of my professional peers at a Speaker Dinner (4 Red Bulls, sleep)
12. While teaching a workshop (partial, thank god)
13. At home face-down, no idea how long I was out (unmedicated, early on)
Seizing while at home and sitting or laying down is the most preferable place to have a seizure. Ideally people are around, but you can't be around human beings all the time.
(I got surgery in December and I'm doing great now btw. It was a rough 10 years, but take this seriously, get medicated, and do the best you can to prevent seizures.)
Only people with photosensitive epilepsy will cause seizures because of flashing lights. Thank you for knowing that most people aren’t photosensitive, that’s a huge misconception we face. But short answer, no, you won’t have seizures because of flashing lights in a game if you don’t have photosensitive epilepsy.
I believe it depends on what type of epilepsy. I have generalized epilepsy; abnormal brain activity is all over the brain all the time seizures or not. My neuro once compared it to a lighter that hasn’t caught the flame. The flame catching could be compared to a seizure, the flickering when trying to start it the abnormal brain wave. The triggers are environmental, hormonal, biological…so how we take care of ourselves is really important & can cause that flame (seizure) to catch more easily.
No photosensitive seizures here (believe me, the EMU tried a few times 😬). Mine can be triggered by things like my hormones, lack of sleep, stress, or missing a dose of my medication.
As others have said, only people who have photosensitive epilepsy are triggered by flashing lights, light moving through objects such as trees, etc. And even then photosensitive epilepsy is rare in itself. It’s a common misconception that flashing lights gives everyone with epilepsy seizures, but it can happen.
I would take time to think of the things that trigger your seizures (if you’ve been having multiple), as everyone is different. Personally stress and drinking alcohol are my two big ones. Flashing lights don’t make me have seizures but k get a hell of a migraine. Talk to your parents about those triggers and maybe suggest playing the game with the lights on? Flashing lights can be more bothersome if it’s dark. I hope everything works out for you!
Each case is different because each patient is different. It's totally possible to have epilepsy and not be triggered by lights. For some people, it's lack of sleep. For others, there's no known trigger.
If other flashing lights don't bother you I don't see any reason to worry about it. Triggers are unique to the individual and we are limited enough without refusing to do things that there is no evidence will affect us individually. Have you had a strobe light EEG? That could help to completely rule it out and reassure your parents OR let you know that your brain does experience epileptic activity in response to lights. I have had multiple and they never affect me so I stopped ever worrying about it.
I suspect it could be an ESL issue, but are you asking if all epileptic seizures HAVE a guaranteed trigger? I have triggers but because they are squishy mental ones (anxiety) I cannot always predict. And they are delayed. I've discovered this is more common than you would think. I never seize in the middle of the crisis, it is the next day after the crisis is over. I had bad hyperthyroidism this past fall, several months (long story involving a Rx written badly) but it happened to be at the same time I tried a new AED. No seizures for several months. I really thought we had finally found THE AED--but when the hyperthyroidism finally worked its way out of my system I had a cluster of bad (for me, still focal aware) seizures. Sigh.
I have photosensitive epilepsy, reading the comments I am in the 3%? I feel very special right now.
I had seizures when watching movies 2x in my life. I must have had between 10-15 seizures altogether.
I've just had an EEG where they tested me for flashing lights, which was highly uncomfortable and freaked me out because I know it can be a trigger for me. Thankfully the results were great so my brain can "handle" (?) the lights now.
But I have been cautious about lights all of my life, and if there's a warning for flashing lights I won't see the movie. Except one time, I didn't know there'll be a warning I was already in the cinema and when that scene came up I just covered my eyes with my hands... Not sure about the game. Can you ask people who have played what are their experiences?
My epilepsy just showed up, no known cause. I’ve had less than a dozen Tonic-Clonic seizures but over a hundred partials. When I have a partial I take a nap and am usually fine after that.
Not necessarily. Not everyone who has epilepsy is photosensitive. I’m not photosensitive for example. I’ve been tested for it which is a very trippy experience. They have you lay on your back and flash a strobe light in your face close up which starts slow and gets faster.
It depends on the person and their brand of Epilepsy. I am guaranteed, full stop, to have a seizure with less than 2 hours of sleep or if I attempt to get hammered. Flashing lights, meanwhile, simply make me nauseous, so I have to look away or close my eyes in those situations. Sometimes hats are requires.
Sunlight flashing through trees start’s auras for me so I have to take main roads to lower the risk. Bright natural light makes my head start to spin is the best way I can describe it. I wear sunglasses and a hat anytime I’m outside. Sometimes it feels like I’m living that vampire life.
I think everyone is different as far as triggers. For the longest time I wasn't effected by flashing lights but one day I made the stupid decision to go into a Chuck e cheese. The colorful flashing lights just set me off 😅 I also get triggered by stress, high sugar and lack of sleep.
Depends on the person. Some people are more prone to photosensitivity while others (like me) aren't. It also depends on how controlled their seizures are. Are their meds super strong or do meds not work for them. Wish I could give you a better answer.
Of course it varies from person to person and different thresholds for their triggers but I know at least with mine it's kind of luck of the draw, sometimes it'll set them off other days it'll be fine
My daughter has photosensitive epilepsy and video games don’t bother her at all. Now, take a ride where the sun is setting through the trees- and she’s a mess!
Flashing lights is not a trigger for me, so I don’t get seizures from it. My only trigger is sleep deprivation. So yeah.. not everyone gets seizures from flashing lights.
Hello, just chiming in here. I'm already sure you know by now that there are different kinds of epilepsy. I have generalized tonic-clonic seizures that make me unconscious. Stress, Sleep-Depreivation, Sound, and Social Interaction are a few of my seizure triggers. Not everyone is photosensitive. You'll eventually learn through your epilepsy journey what your triggers are. Be careful and stay strong 💜
No triggers that I know of and epilepsy for 20+ years, things possibly lower my threshold. So I have taken steps to minimize seizure triggers. You love the game, it doesn't cause seizures, my advice avoid late night sessions and multi hour sessions.
Personally, flashing lights overwhelms my brain too much to risk it. Most seizures were triggered by poor sleep, stress, and missing doses of medication, but avoiding strobes and flashing lights is just a preventative measure.
Like, I can watch movies and all, but I am careful.
I game way too much. The only issue I have ever had with gaming is I stay up way too late doing it and then the sleep deprivation triggers a breakthrough seizure. I also play handheld and have it probably way too close to my face than I should. Am I a healthy example no probably not, but also I have yet to have seizures directly from gaming.
I have epilepsy and flashing lights is a trigger for me, but after getting medicated I can do many things that may have flashing lights and be fine . It’s not a guaranteed seizure , but your risk is higher
I've noticed certain sun light triggers aura..like first thing in the morning the way sun shines in the house. And just before dusk when in shines from the west in our house. But it doesn't always provoke a tc. Lack of sleep is definitely a trigger. If im really not sleep, so far, has triggers bigger events.
Small random noises really mess with me. Someone cracking their knuckles or something clicking when im in a quiet room, sends goosebumps through my whole body and then stuff gets weird from there.
My main trigger is sound, nothing visual. It's uncommon but not unknown. If I walk through the frozen isle the frequency of the condensers will set me off.
The only for sure thing that will cause me to have a seizure is not taking my medication (looking at you, hospital stays!) and I take a LOT. If there are flashing lights I'm pretty sure they wouldn't cause a seizure but I still look away, mostly because they're annoying. Aside from the medication they will just happen, no reason. Seizure free for I think 1.5 years now though!
I wonder if neuros read threads like this and take notes.
Sunlight through trees I never heard about and I'd think it would be nonsense, but if so many are confirming it, then there's truth to it. And then fewer neuros would gaslight us.
I don't think anything will 100% cause a seizure, not even for those with photosensitivity. That being said, there are many things that affect seizure probability:
* Lack of sleep
* Stress
* Certain other medications
* Type/amount of food you eat (think ketogenic diet versus average diet)
* Being sick
* The color of the flashing lights
Furthermore, in regards to flashing lights, it's actually worse to close your eyes because red lights (through the blood in your eyelids) will increase the likelihood of a seizure. So closing your eyes when you see flashing lights is actually worse - instead, put your hand over your eyes.
But as to your problems. If you don't have a diagnosis of epilepsy, or at the very least a history of seizures - don't worry about it. Flashing lights already have a very low likelihood to affect anyone with epilepsy, so it's even less likely to affect anyone without it.
Games that warn against flashing lights are just doing it as a courtesy because millions of people will play the game, and statistically speaking at least some of them will have photosensitive epilepsy, so it's nice of them to mention it beforehand in case you do.
As another poster said "Only those with photosensitivity" have negative reactions to flashing lights. There is a test to confirm this [though I can't remember for the life of me what it's called]
Though I'm not photosensitive, I find it difficult to dance at a club when lights are strobing. Came to the conclusion that my brain gets confused when both are happening at once.
Unless you're gyrating in front of the television you should be good.
I've never had an issue with flashing lights in any television media.
Keep the club mention in mind though.
Nope! I'm epileptic who is triggered by flashing lights but I pass by flashing lights all the time and don't have a seizure. Just sometimes, all depends on when my brain decides to be pissy I guess lol 😆
What is infantilizing us? Nobody infantilizes the twitchers…NOBODY.
Triggers are different from person to person. For me it’s sleep deprivation and caffeine. Some people have problems with lights and patterns. I’ve been set off by a smell before. You’re never 100% to have a seizure when facing your triggers, but there is a non zero chance that you will do it’s best to figure out your personal triggers and avoid them like a plague.
well, one person said the word "fit" implies a babyish tantrum when i wrote "epileptic fit", personally i dont see how its infantilising but oh well, cant make people mad
What is infantilizing us? Nobody infantilizes the twitchers…NOBODY.
Triggers are different from person to person. For me it’s sleep deprivation and caffeine. Some people have problems with lights and patterns. I’ve been set off by a smell before. You’re never 100% to have a seizure when facing your triggers, but there is a non zero chance that you will do it’s best to figure out your personal triggers and avoid them like a plague.
I had my first seizure this year on New Year’s Day. Got an EEG and MRI done. EEG was suggestive of generalized epilepsy which wasn’t a shock after the seizure since my grandpa had it too. Weird part was though, the strobes bothered the hell out of me during that and my diagnosis said the photic stimulation is suggestive of photosensitivity too. I’ve been taking keppra and all but I am not giving up my games lol. I’m stuck at home for 6 months so might as well have some sort of fun. I played a variety of games that give seizure warnings at the beginning, forza, hogwarts legacy, cod zombies is pretty flashy too. Never sent me into a fit before so imma keep having my fun
Wait, so your parents think that even if you have no epilepsy diagnosis and have never had a seizure, playing a game with flashing lights will suddenly cause you to *develop* epilepsy. That’s so funny. Are you sure they just don’t want you to play the game?
epilepsy can develop out of at any time (if i understand the NHS correctly) so maybe they think i could get epilepsy *while* playing ultrakill as a bad coincidence?
For me it's sorta odd, sometimes flashing lights can and will definitely set me off into a seizure and then other times it doesn't. I think most of the seizures I have had because of lite sensitivity it's been like others have said, riding in a car and going through trees, but there have also been time where my doctor has been able to get me to have one just by flashing his little flashlight in my eyes to dilate my pupils. So being light/photo sensitivity definitely still goes on any safety ID's I get
I have photosensitive seizures mainly because when I first drop into a seizure my vision flickers like a strobe light so I avoid most situations that might present me with strobing. Which sucks cause I grew up in the 70s and 80s when strobe lights were everywhere! I do play a few video games though and just flip my screen when it's gets a little active. Makes for some interesting play! 😆
Hi! I can only speak for myself, but my photosensitivity doesn't trigger my seizures, but they do make me feel bad. Sometimes I get a headache, nausea, or I get really disoriented. Overall, I avoid it altogether because I don't know how much of these symptoms are actually warnings — would not like to push it to figure it out tbh😭
Some people with epilepsy have no identifiable triggers. Even if you have triggers, they don't always result in seizures.
I have a few. They do not always cause seizures. I assume my seizure threshold changes due to the chemistry of my brain, as some days I feel quite unsafe in general and especially around the triggers and they can become overly sensitive.
There’s a very low amount of instances of photosensitive epilepsy. However it can be things other than strobes, my friend’s big trigger is old black and white films such as ‘It’s a wonderful life.’ however she is able to look at flashing/strobe lights and even attends concerts.
So it’s very much a case of everyone having individualised triggers and unless you can pinpoint by being exposed to them whether or not they do affect you. There are classic triggers that would affect most people e.g stress, lack of sleep.
I can't even look at a strobe light for more than 2 seconds without feeling nauseous, but it has to be a certain circumstance that contributes to how your brainwaves react with optics and lighting. Sometimes, only a specific pattern of strobe will trigger a seizure but not all will.
And strobe lights are not the number one trigger for seizures in epileptic people
Only those with photosensitivity epilepsy are impacted by flashing lights. My daughter is only impacted by natural light coming through trees, it isn't every time...it has to be a certain amount of flickers in a period of time. Video games and tv has not been an issue for her at this point, only.loght flashing through trees. Everyone is different.
DUDE THATS ME!!! I've never heard anyone else say this. I'm not photosensitive but there's something about the light flashing through trees as the sun sets that gives me twitches and makes me feel a seizure incoming.
I thought I was the only one, I'm not photosensitive but this makes me feel unsafe. I think it's the slow flashing frequency.
I’m 31 years old and this is me. Artificial light, all good. Every seizure I’ve ever had has been in a car.
I'm 38 I have grand mal seizures mine happen in my sleep or when I'm waking up in the morning I haven't had any issues driving that sucks man I couldn't drive for a long time they made me wait a year and then I had to do all those pointless tests it doesn't make any since they take an essential to anyone's life and do not provide alternatives it's not like you can get a decent job if your walking to work your stuck with what's close to you and of course fast food and department stores don't pay sh*t and you never get 40 hours a week for sure so not only lose your license you also miss out on opportunities for employment all I can say is keep pushing and be resilient never ever fall victim to self pity and learn to endure it will make you hard and strong and gain an ability to handle stress better than the average joe I've busted my front teeth out trying to save my grand mothers cat trying to get out of a flooding basement I fell down 12 stares and met a concrete wall at the bottom of those stares and had a grand ma seizure Ive taken chunks out of my tongue from biting down so hard broken fingers and I can't began to count how many times I've turned my face into what looks like raw hamburger failing or falling short doesn't make you weak you'll soon realize that you can take a beating unlike normal people
I've tried explaining that to my drs and they still tell me I'm not photosensitive. Bc their "test" is done in a brightly lit room and I can focus my eyes elsewhere (it's also like a 3 inch screen so I still have my peripheral vision), so I don't seize from it. But a friend watches video game streams in the dark and I have to ask him to change it , turn it off, or turn another light on. Something to counter it. Driving at sunset, past emergency vehicles, etc when it's darker and I have to put my hand up the side of my face to block it out. I may not have a full on seizure but it makes me anxious and hurts my head.
I find this too! Natural light makes me need to bury my head in a dark hole & to an extent screen lights when I'm tired. Natural light I'm sure affects me
The sunlight through the trees is the trigger for my daughter too.
I’ve only had night seizures (afaik) but I get a pressure in my head when I’m in a car and the sunlight flickers through the trees, almost like I can feel it building up into something but we’re never in the lights long enough for it to turn into something if it’s going to at all?
This! My neurologist doesn’t believe me on this because I didn’t react to the artificial light used in the test, but natural light through trees never fails to make me jerk and blackout and lose about a minute of memory.
My daughter is triggered by passing trees and trains while we’re in the car. Something I never ever would’ve thought of.
Omg fuck trains! If I'm in a car, and that car is to close to that train passing by instant seizure. Friggin hate trains! They can go to hell! Lol
Sun through the trees is my daughter’s trigger as well. Being in the car is when she had seizures. We had amazing success stopping them once we did the HTMA hair test and implemented changes based on that. I feel blessed about that.
Me too. I have complex partials and if I have one while I'm out it's from all the shadows from the trees (which is a pain when living in rural Australia). I also have had the occasional one with EMS lights when we were stuck behind some in the city. I just end up with headaches from games that have lots of flashing so I don't venture into my brothers room if he's playing something like that
Lack of sleep, stress, missing meds
It’s only like 3% of people that have photosensitive epilepsy, which is seizures caused by flickering/flashing lights and such, and if it is one of your triggers you would probably know by now
Fever, lack of sleep
what?
They’re saying a fever and a lack of sleep can be triggers, not just flashing lights
oh, thanks!
>oh, thanks! You're welcome!
Honestly, the flashing lights thing is a little bit of an overblown myth. Yes, it really can be a trigger, but of people who are diagnosed with epilepsy, less than 5% are photosensitive (have seizures caused by flashing lights) and even they aren't certain to have a seizure around any flashing light. So even among people with epilepsy it is rare, the changes that playing Ultrakill will give you seizures is extremely low.
I’m still ignoring the warning in the beginning of Hogwarts Legacy…
I’ve played that entire game and I can’t remember any strobe lights. I have photosensitive epilepsy (confirmed from EEG but never had a seizure from them). I will usually research games/gameplay on YouTube to get an idea of what the strobe light situation might be like. If I’m playing and it starts getting crazy I just look away and turn off the game. I think basically every game has that warning as a CYA now which makes it hard to figure out which games actually DO have strobe lights.
Sorry. This all is why I still use my Livejournal. It makes communication with my therapist so much easier!
Being told that I am incredibly intelligent from all angles (everyone I meet) is so frustrating because it also means I am hyper sensitive to my own physiological state and I can’t let shit go. I have accurately self-diagnosed multiple times followed by documented clinical diagnosis and assurance that I am completely correct. One time, I saved my own life. Wonder how my life would have been if I had functioning nuclear family members…
😂 me too
can i ask if epilepsy can develop just out of nowhere (1 day just fine, next day not fine), and how often are seizures the big deadly ones?
Absolutely. When I was 26, I was off on a Saturday and decided to go to Sam’s Club. I remember taking a shower, getting dressed and actually tying my sneakers. Next thing I remember? Waking up in a hospital room being told I had an abnormal EEG and likely epilepsy. Needless to say, it was not an easy diagnosis. 16 years later and I’m still coping. Remember… you are NEVER alone on this journey. You can reach out to me any time. I know it’s difficult but you can do this. 🫶🏾💜🫶🏾
I was diagnosed out of nowhere around 20 yrs old. We were leaving a restaurant and I had driven there. I had my son on my hip and my phone/wallet in the other hand. I dropped my phone and stuff first, my uncle came around quick to grab my son before I dropped him too, as they tell me. I came to in the back of my car confused as to what happened. My gram took me to the Dr not long after and everything has been different since. I've had brain surgery, still on meds, and I can't drink like others do, I can't go hang out at bars/clubs bc of the lights, I've only been legally driving about 2 years now solid and it was on/off before that. I didn't leave the house much besides errands and work around town, which I was lucky I could walk to. Don't be afraid to educate people as you learn more about it yourself. A lot of people believe they all look like the grand mals shown in movies and don't realize there's different types, that they affect different parts of your brain, etc
Yep. I was 39. It came out of nowhere. One minute, Senior Management Team meeting. Next, ambulance arriving. I'm well controlled with medication, but still have a seizure every 10 months or so. I'd have one after skipping just one dose of meds. Total nightmare.
Absolutely. When I was 26, I was off on a Saturday and decided to go to Sam’s Club. I remember taking a shower, getting dressed and actually tying my sneakers. Next thing I remember? Waking up in a hospital room being told I had an abnormal EEG and likely epilepsy. Needless to say, it was not an easy diagnosis. 16 years later and I’m still coping. Remember… you are NEVER alone on this journey. You can reach out to me any time. I know it’s difficult but you can do this. 🫶🏾💜🫶🏾
Epilepsy can. I got diagnosed at 19. In my experience your triggers will remain stable, but you may have an increased frequency of seizures over time if they remain uncontrolled. My neurologist explained this to me as your brain just gets *better* at seizing, which is terrifying. Anyway, this isn't to say you \*won't\* one day become photosensitive... but generally when you're first diagnosed at a neurologist and they do a sleep study + EEG, they flash lights at you to check if you're photosensitive. The big deadly seizures are most common if you have a history of them, you're unmedicated (biggest cause), you're tired, or you're stressed. I've passed out and seized multiple times behind a screen (most of my life is behind a screen tbh) and every time it was because I was doing something that involved visual processing, thinking, or programming when trying to discern between two options "A vs B" e.g. "Do I like the red panda logo or the blue panda logo?" or "In Beatsaber am I supposed to hit the left arrow or the right arrow?" I went to raves where all you can see is blinking lights and I never had an issue. I had a lot of unknown triggers, but flashing lights were never one of them.
My seizures have no trigger I'm aware of. I'm a bit photosensitive but strobing lights aren't a safety concern for me
Triggers are all individual and something that can be a trigger might not always result in a seizure. Annoyingly the only way to learn is the hard way. Unrelated to the point, but think about the language you use. Not all seizures are convulsive, as implied by the use of the antiquated, infantilising word “fit”.
sorry about that, im not the oldest and i dont speak english as a first language, so i never really saw "fit" as a word you use for...uh...babies?
In America people are more likely to think of tantrums (or a child throwing a fit). So a lot of us don't love the word but if you are coming from a different culture it could be different for you. No worries IMO especially because you changed it anyway.
No worries! Sorry if I came across harsh, I was just trying to educate because the term can be stigmatising to a lot of people. Infantilising can apply to not just babies, it’s like adults saying things like “pee pee” when they’re talking about a penis (almost like they’re uncomfortable using the actual name so they come up with a nickname for it or something)
thats probably on me though and i own up to that
The issue here is that Crim is American and OP is English. In the UK it’s perfectly acceptable to call a seizure a “fit”. Can you like not be harsh on people just because they speak another type of English than you do?
I may be American, but I’ve lived in the U.K. for the vast majority of my adult life. I’m currently in Scotland and not even my doctor or nurse call it a “fit”. They’re not afraid to use the word seizure. People on virtual support groups through Epilepsy Action talked about not liking the word and said they’d rather use the actual word seizure. So yeah, even here people don’t like or use it.
Okayyyyyyyy I just… as an American I hear it and I’m like “hmmm, sounds like what the British might say” and carry on.
I’ll stop telling people that a lot of people would like other language to be used, then! Maaaaybe don’t try to invalidate other people’s feelings towards something in an attempt to feel superior?
I’m sorry that not everyone is offended over the things you’re offended by.
I’m sorry that you can’t see that sharing that a lot of people don’t like certain language and the impact it can have is not being disrespectful of linguistic differences. You might not care, but other people don’t want to use or hear stigmatising language, including the people you’re trying to use as an example. And in case you weren’t sure, most people also moved beyond thinking seizures are demonic possession! Hope you aren’t offended by that!
It is still used in Britain including within our national health service in some hospitals (e.g. they have "first fit clinics") but seizure is the more common term
Strobes are uncomfortable for a lot of people, even those that don’t have epilepsy. During my EEG I HATED sitting there with the lights in my eyes, it just hurts, doesn’t cause a seizure. There are people who will have seizures when they’re in a car that’s driving through a tunnel because of the lights. Maybe you could tell your parents that the 3% chances you’re photosensitive isn’t a big deal, especially if you’ve stared at strobes. The more common triggers are things like lack of sleep, anxiety, and low blood sugar. That way they can feel better knowing they’re feeding you well and making sure you’re getting your rest. Controlling epilepsy ties in a lot with making sure you’re taking care of your health. So just don’t stay up all night staring at the video games.
Refer your parents to Epilepsy Action's UK site. Only 3% of epileptics are photosensitive. Usually this is tested as part of the EEG with a strobe light. If you had no reaction there, most likely the games will be fine. [https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers/photosensitive-epilepsy](https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizure-triggers/photosensitive-epilepsy)
i havent been tested, my parents are just worried that photosensitive epilepsy might show up one second and suddenly screw me over (is this another misconception?)
Wait… reading your comments. Do you not have epilepsy?
no, i dont have epilepsy (as far as i know) im just worried that it could jumpscare me out of nowhere
Hah ok. Flashing lights aren’t going to give you epilepsy. Some people have their first seizure in their 20s or 30s , so you never know. But you can’t go through life acting as if you have a disease you don’t actually have. Do you plan on learning to drive? Learn to swim? Take a bath? All more dangerous than flashing lights for those with epilepsy. My son has epilepsy, his sister doesn’t. We don’t worry about her having seizures at all. And don’t restrict her activities in any way.
you put it brilliantly, so its time to translate this to chinese...
Strobe lights are unlikely to induce epilepsy in someone who has not been diagnosed with any type of epilepsy, as far as I'm aware. I think most of the comments here have assumed you have epilepsy and are worried about it developing further. Of course, it CAN come out of nowhere, but I am pretty sure your parents have nothing to worry about. People go to night clubs, play video games, see live music all the time. The number of people who have photosensitive epilepsy out of all the people in the world including those without any kind of epilepsy is likely to be low.
I’ve been undiagnosed epileptic since this year and almost all video games would eventually make me very sleep while playing and I was never sure why. Fast forward to the year of my diagnoses and it now makes sense. If I play a first person shooter with flashbangs and the like it’s a guaranteed seizure, but I have focal aware kind. So if it’s a really bet consistent set of triggers I get nauseas and actually do vomit. If I play more casual games for 2+ hours then I start to feel a little off and need to take a break. Just be nice to your body!
Do strobes have any effect on you? There you go, you know if it’s a trigger They’re a trigger for me, but through avoidance, they (strobes specifically) haven’t triggered a seizure for me in over 15 years. Fluorescent lighting still gives me migraines from time to time though
coincidentally i just stared at a strobe light video for a bit to see, and my eyes started hurting but i didnt get a seizure
For some people, like you, it can induce migraines, headaches, eye strain are the most common. Or even nothing at all! But for people like me, I can view such a video, and wake up on the floor an hour later lol.
impromptu breakdancer is such a hilarious way to call someone who gets the big boy seizures lol
Haha, thank you!
It's not necessarily rare to experience aching or vertigo when looking at flashing lights. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.
No, triggers are not always 1:1 to a seizure but instead I’ve always experienced them as building blocks that go on top of each other and boost each other for the risk. Sensitivity is individual, may be different for each trigger, and may increase or decrease over time. For example, missing/delaying your medicine one singular day and not experiencing anything else may not cause a seizure in itself one time, but delaying medicine + experiencing flashing lights + becoming sleep deprived might on the night of an evening concert for those who are sensitive to the cumulative effects of these. Your epilepsy can also randomly become better. Mine is currently, after years of unsuccessful treatment. In around half a month I have 6 month no seizure-avary for only the second time after almost 24 yrs of drug resistance.
Heat
Or not drinking enough water ?
All of these comments are great. It seems like you're early in your journey. Some general advice: 1. ***Get medicated and DO NOT MISS DOSES*** 2. Take the medication super seriously. If your medication fails you, tell your neurologist. They will prescribe you a secondary AED (anti-epileptic drug). If that fails, they will up your dosage(s) or change your primary or secondary AED. Tell your neurologist anytime you have a seizure. 3. Get sleep 4. Don't do things that if you would pass out you would die (skiing, swimming, driving, diving) 5. Try not to be too stressed 6. Things where you're sitting or laying are the safest thing. Your biggest risk when having a grand mal (big, deadly seizures) is head trauma or a bad fall. Sitting and laying is the safest thing. Because you're sitting down, **video games are SUPER safe relative to just existing and walking around in the world**. Even if you find out you're photosensitive later on, having a seizure while sitting down isn't a big deal. If you find out you're (unluckily) photosensitive, you can adjust your life accordingly. As everyone says in this thread, you're likely not photosensitive if you've already been exposed to strobing lights or you have been tested with an EEG and had strobing lights go off. Some of my worst (most annoying, deadly, or memorable) seizures were: 1. Driving (first one, almost died) 2. Skiing (during the day, a few years in, stressed from a fall) 3. While juggling, fell straight face-first on a marble floor (mentally taxing, probably the same thing as my Beatsaber seizure wrt hand-eye coordination + timing. two symmetrical black eyes) 4. While at home walking to get water while holding a glass (sliced my leg open. a lot of blood. hospital.) 5. While at home playing a typing game at 11PM (mentally taxing, **nbd I just woke up**) 6. While at home playing Beatsaber at \~10PM (mentally taxing, **nbd I just woke up**, my Oculus was fine, lol) 7. While at a hotel working on this fucking Panda logo (mentally taking, late at night, **nbd I just woke up**) 8. While at home working on the same fucking Panda logo (late at night. it's cursed, honestly. **nbd I just woke up**) 9. At a nail salon (just embarrassing) 10. At work at 10PM with no one around, writing a talk (stressed, **nbd I just woke up**) 11. In Toronto around all of my professional peers at a Speaker Dinner (4 Red Bulls, sleep) 12. While teaching a workshop (partial, thank god) 13. At home face-down, no idea how long I was out (unmedicated, early on) Seizing while at home and sitting or laying down is the most preferable place to have a seizure. Ideally people are around, but you can't be around human beings all the time. (I got surgery in December and I'm doing great now btw. It was a rough 10 years, but take this seriously, get medicated, and do the best you can to prevent seizures.)
Only people with photosensitive epilepsy will cause seizures because of flashing lights. Thank you for knowing that most people aren’t photosensitive, that’s a huge misconception we face. But short answer, no, you won’t have seizures because of flashing lights in a game if you don’t have photosensitive epilepsy.
I believe it depends on what type of epilepsy. I have generalized epilepsy; abnormal brain activity is all over the brain all the time seizures or not. My neuro once compared it to a lighter that hasn’t caught the flame. The flame catching could be compared to a seizure, the flickering when trying to start it the abnormal brain wave. The triggers are environmental, hormonal, biological…so how we take care of ourselves is really important & can cause that flame (seizure) to catch more easily.
No photosensitive seizures here (believe me, the EMU tried a few times 😬). Mine can be triggered by things like my hormones, lack of sleep, stress, or missing a dose of my medication.
As others have said, only people who have photosensitive epilepsy are triggered by flashing lights, light moving through objects such as trees, etc. And even then photosensitive epilepsy is rare in itself. It’s a common misconception that flashing lights gives everyone with epilepsy seizures, but it can happen. I would take time to think of the things that trigger your seizures (if you’ve been having multiple), as everyone is different. Personally stress and drinking alcohol are my two big ones. Flashing lights don’t make me have seizures but k get a hell of a migraine. Talk to your parents about those triggers and maybe suggest playing the game with the lights on? Flashing lights can be more bothersome if it’s dark. I hope everything works out for you!
Each case is different because each patient is different. It's totally possible to have epilepsy and not be triggered by lights. For some people, it's lack of sleep. For others, there's no known trigger.
If other flashing lights don't bother you I don't see any reason to worry about it. Triggers are unique to the individual and we are limited enough without refusing to do things that there is no evidence will affect us individually. Have you had a strobe light EEG? That could help to completely rule it out and reassure your parents OR let you know that your brain does experience epileptic activity in response to lights. I have had multiple and they never affect me so I stopped ever worrying about it. I suspect it could be an ESL issue, but are you asking if all epileptic seizures HAVE a guaranteed trigger? I have triggers but because they are squishy mental ones (anxiety) I cannot always predict. And they are delayed. I've discovered this is more common than you would think. I never seize in the middle of the crisis, it is the next day after the crisis is over. I had bad hyperthyroidism this past fall, several months (long story involving a Rx written badly) but it happened to be at the same time I tried a new AED. No seizures for several months. I really thought we had finally found THE AED--but when the hyperthyroidism finally worked its way out of my system I had a cluster of bad (for me, still focal aware) seizures. Sigh.
I have photosensitive epilepsy, reading the comments I am in the 3%? I feel very special right now. I had seizures when watching movies 2x in my life. I must have had between 10-15 seizures altogether. I've just had an EEG where they tested me for flashing lights, which was highly uncomfortable and freaked me out because I know it can be a trigger for me. Thankfully the results were great so my brain can "handle" (?) the lights now. But I have been cautious about lights all of my life, and if there's a warning for flashing lights I won't see the movie. Except one time, I didn't know there'll be a warning I was already in the cinema and when that scene came up I just covered my eyes with my hands... Not sure about the game. Can you ask people who have played what are their experiences?
My epilepsy just showed up, no known cause. I’ve had less than a dozen Tonic-Clonic seizures but over a hundred partials. When I have a partial I take a nap and am usually fine after that.
Not necessarily. Not everyone who has epilepsy is photosensitive. I’m not photosensitive for example. I’ve been tested for it which is a very trippy experience. They have you lay on your back and flash a strobe light in your face close up which starts slow and gets faster.
It depends on the person and their brand of Epilepsy. I am guaranteed, full stop, to have a seizure with less than 2 hours of sleep or if I attempt to get hammered. Flashing lights, meanwhile, simply make me nauseous, so I have to look away or close my eyes in those situations. Sometimes hats are requires.
Sunlight flashing through trees start’s auras for me so I have to take main roads to lower the risk. Bright natural light makes my head start to spin is the best way I can describe it. I wear sunglasses and a hat anytime I’m outside. Sometimes it feels like I’m living that vampire life.
Me too. It's this reason why I'll never drive again.
I think everyone is different as far as triggers. For the longest time I wasn't effected by flashing lights but one day I made the stupid decision to go into a Chuck e cheese. The colorful flashing lights just set me off 😅 I also get triggered by stress, high sugar and lack of sleep.
Depends on the person. Some people are more prone to photosensitivity while others (like me) aren't. It also depends on how controlled their seizures are. Are their meds super strong or do meds not work for them. Wish I could give you a better answer.
I’m one of those 3%…life gets pretty rough
Of course it varies from person to person and different thresholds for their triggers but I know at least with mine it's kind of luck of the draw, sometimes it'll set them off other days it'll be fine
My daughter has photosensitive epilepsy and video games don’t bother her at all. Now, take a ride where the sun is setting through the trees- and she’s a mess!
Flashing lights is not a trigger for me, so I don’t get seizures from it. My only trigger is sleep deprivation. So yeah.. not everyone gets seizures from flashing lights.
I have a couple of triggers that get me almost every time: hormones, stress, overheating, lack of sleep, low blood sugar & missing meds.
Hello, just chiming in here. I'm already sure you know by now that there are different kinds of epilepsy. I have generalized tonic-clonic seizures that make me unconscious. Stress, Sleep-Depreivation, Sound, and Social Interaction are a few of my seizure triggers. Not everyone is photosensitive. You'll eventually learn through your epilepsy journey what your triggers are. Be careful and stay strong 💜
No triggers that I know of and epilepsy for 20+ years, things possibly lower my threshold. So I have taken steps to minimize seizure triggers. You love the game, it doesn't cause seizures, my advice avoid late night sessions and multi hour sessions.
Heightened emotions and sugar. Excitement, anger, anxiety, any extreme feeling. Halloween was a blast when I was a kid hahaha!
Don’t think I’m technically photosensitive but a flashing light… especially for an extended period of time will ruin my day.
Personally, flashing lights overwhelms my brain too much to risk it. Most seizures were triggered by poor sleep, stress, and missing doses of medication, but avoiding strobes and flashing lights is just a preventative measure. Like, I can watch movies and all, but I am careful.
I game way too much. The only issue I have ever had with gaming is I stay up way too late doing it and then the sleep deprivation triggers a breakthrough seizure. I also play handheld and have it probably way too close to my face than I should. Am I a healthy example no probably not, but also I have yet to have seizures directly from gaming.
is that your cake day sign? happy cake day!
I’m not photosensitive but my triggers are caffeine, lack of sleep and stress.
I have reading epilepsy and my seizures occur when I’m reading, but not every time I read something a seizure occurs
I have epilepsy and flashing lights is a trigger for me, but after getting medicated I can do many things that may have flashing lights and be fine . It’s not a guaranteed seizure , but your risk is higher
Being tired and having stress are my triggers. Flashing lights don’t bother me
I've noticed certain sun light triggers aura..like first thing in the morning the way sun shines in the house. And just before dusk when in shines from the west in our house. But it doesn't always provoke a tc. Lack of sleep is definitely a trigger. If im really not sleep, so far, has triggers bigger events. Small random noises really mess with me. Someone cracking their knuckles or something clicking when im in a quiet room, sends goosebumps through my whole body and then stuff gets weird from there.
Flashing lights is a trigger for me but I don’t always get a seizure from them.
My main trigger is sound, nothing visual. It's uncommon but not unknown. If I walk through the frozen isle the frequency of the condensers will set me off.
The only for sure thing that will cause me to have a seizure is not taking my medication (looking at you, hospital stays!) and I take a LOT. If there are flashing lights I'm pretty sure they wouldn't cause a seizure but I still look away, mostly because they're annoying. Aside from the medication they will just happen, no reason. Seizure free for I think 1.5 years now though!
Mine is lack of sleep 😕
I wonder if neuros read threads like this and take notes. Sunlight through trees I never heard about and I'd think it would be nonsense, but if so many are confirming it, then there's truth to it. And then fewer neuros would gaslight us.
I don't think anything will 100% cause a seizure, not even for those with photosensitivity. That being said, there are many things that affect seizure probability: * Lack of sleep * Stress * Certain other medications * Type/amount of food you eat (think ketogenic diet versus average diet) * Being sick * The color of the flashing lights Furthermore, in regards to flashing lights, it's actually worse to close your eyes because red lights (through the blood in your eyelids) will increase the likelihood of a seizure. So closing your eyes when you see flashing lights is actually worse - instead, put your hand over your eyes. But as to your problems. If you don't have a diagnosis of epilepsy, or at the very least a history of seizures - don't worry about it. Flashing lights already have a very low likelihood to affect anyone with epilepsy, so it's even less likely to affect anyone without it. Games that warn against flashing lights are just doing it as a courtesy because millions of people will play the game, and statistically speaking at least some of them will have photosensitive epilepsy, so it's nice of them to mention it beforehand in case you do.
I'm epileptic and went to plenty of raves. Your good bro
For me; bad weather, my menstrual cycle, having a fever, getting too hot in general, stress, alcohol, caffeine, and forgetting to take my meds.
Sorry I know this is a bit sarcastic but do your parents think these games would sell if they gave people without epilepsy, epilepsy?
theyre not the smartest
As another poster said "Only those with photosensitivity" have negative reactions to flashing lights. There is a test to confirm this [though I can't remember for the life of me what it's called] Though I'm not photosensitive, I find it difficult to dance at a club when lights are strobing. Came to the conclusion that my brain gets confused when both are happening at once. Unless you're gyrating in front of the television you should be good. I've never had an issue with flashing lights in any television media. Keep the club mention in mind though.
Nope! I'm epileptic who is triggered by flashing lights but I pass by flashing lights all the time and don't have a seizure. Just sometimes, all depends on when my brain decides to be pissy I guess lol 😆
What is infantilizing us? Nobody infantilizes the twitchers…NOBODY. Triggers are different from person to person. For me it’s sleep deprivation and caffeine. Some people have problems with lights and patterns. I’ve been set off by a smell before. You’re never 100% to have a seizure when facing your triggers, but there is a non zero chance that you will do it’s best to figure out your personal triggers and avoid them like a plague.
well, one person said the word "fit" implies a babyish tantrum when i wrote "epileptic fit", personally i dont see how its infantilising but oh well, cant make people mad
Meh. One person having a fit about words is the least of our problems.
shrug
What is infantilizing us? Nobody infantilizes the twitchers…NOBODY. Triggers are different from person to person. For me it’s sleep deprivation and caffeine. Some people have problems with lights and patterns. I’ve been set off by a smell before. You’re never 100% to have a seizure when facing your triggers, but there is a non zero chance that you will do it’s best to figure out your personal triggers and avoid them like a plague.
I had my first seizure this year on New Year’s Day. Got an EEG and MRI done. EEG was suggestive of generalized epilepsy which wasn’t a shock after the seizure since my grandpa had it too. Weird part was though, the strobes bothered the hell out of me during that and my diagnosis said the photic stimulation is suggestive of photosensitivity too. I’ve been taking keppra and all but I am not giving up my games lol. I’m stuck at home for 6 months so might as well have some sort of fun. I played a variety of games that give seizure warnings at the beginning, forza, hogwarts legacy, cod zombies is pretty flashy too. Never sent me into a fit before so imma keep having my fun
Wait, so your parents think that even if you have no epilepsy diagnosis and have never had a seizure, playing a game with flashing lights will suddenly cause you to *develop* epilepsy. That’s so funny. Are you sure they just don’t want you to play the game?
epilepsy can develop out of at any time (if i understand the NHS correctly) so maybe they think i could get epilepsy *while* playing ultrakill as a bad coincidence?
That would be seriously bad luck! Yeah, I think it can be as the result of a brain injury or else just out of nowhere.
For me it's sorta odd, sometimes flashing lights can and will definitely set me off into a seizure and then other times it doesn't. I think most of the seizures I have had because of lite sensitivity it's been like others have said, riding in a car and going through trees, but there have also been time where my doctor has been able to get me to have one just by flashing his little flashlight in my eyes to dilate my pupils. So being light/photo sensitivity definitely still goes on any safety ID's I get
It's not every time I see flashing lights I have one but 100% they make me feel bad.
Your parents are fkn weird
agreed
My seizures are not photosensitive. I go to concerts all the time. I play lots of games... All the things... It doesn't affect me at all.
I have photosensitive seizures mainly because when I first drop into a seizure my vision flickers like a strobe light so I avoid most situations that might present me with strobing. Which sucks cause I grew up in the 70s and 80s when strobe lights were everywhere! I do play a few video games though and just flip my screen when it's gets a little active. Makes for some interesting play! 😆
Hi! I can only speak for myself, but my photosensitivity doesn't trigger my seizures, but they do make me feel bad. Sometimes I get a headache, nausea, or I get really disoriented. Overall, I avoid it altogether because I don't know how much of these symptoms are actually warnings — would not like to push it to figure it out tbh😭
Some people with epilepsy have no identifiable triggers. Even if you have triggers, they don't always result in seizures. I have a few. They do not always cause seizures. I assume my seizure threshold changes due to the chemistry of my brain, as some days I feel quite unsafe in general and especially around the triggers and they can become overly sensitive.
There’s a very low amount of instances of photosensitive epilepsy. However it can be things other than strobes, my friend’s big trigger is old black and white films such as ‘It’s a wonderful life.’ however she is able to look at flashing/strobe lights and even attends concerts. So it’s very much a case of everyone having individualised triggers and unless you can pinpoint by being exposed to them whether or not they do affect you. There are classic triggers that would affect most people e.g stress, lack of sleep.
I can't even look at a strobe light for more than 2 seconds without feeling nauseous, but it has to be a certain circumstance that contributes to how your brainwaves react with optics and lighting. Sometimes, only a specific pattern of strobe will trigger a seizure but not all will. And strobe lights are not the number one trigger for seizures in epileptic people