Symptom 6: Sensory Disturbances
Individuals with myoclonic epilepsy often experience sensory disturbances as part of their symptom profile. These disturbances can manifest in a variety of ways, including unusual or altered sensations in the skin, distortions in smell or taste, and even changes in visual or auditory perception.
For example, an individual might experience a crawling sensation on the skin or a sudden unexplained smell before a seizure episode. This often takes the form of what is known as an ‘aura,’ which is considered by many experts as the beginning of a seizure.
These sensory changes can be disconcerting and create a heightened sense of fear or anxiety about impending seizures. Moreover, such experiences can lead to social isolation, as individuals may feel different or misunderstood by their peers due to these unique sensory experiences. (6)