BPD and Electro Encephalogram

Written by Dr. Leland Heller

QUESTION:

I am 46yr. old with BPD and GAD on long-standing duration and have been in therapy forever. I recently had an EEG for unrelated symptoms (fainting and urinary incontinence) to rule out seizures as my father is epileptic and it was thought I might be also. The neurologist stated the EEG to be "normal waking and drowsy record notable for increased beta (fast activity)".(Said this can be a 'normal variant or result from medications such as benzodiazepines or barbiturates) " I had not taken any meds the day of the testing. Does this increased beta activity mean anything in terms of BPD?

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

It's consistent with what one often finds with BPD EEG's - non specific abnormalities. This is because the seizure like activity is in deep brain structures. It's like determining how fast a submarine is moving deep under the water while looking at the surface waves.

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