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What Causes Intermittent Electric Shock Sensations In Head?

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Posted on Tue, 9 Jun 2015
Question: I am having electric shocks in my head at times. Comes and goes. I also have tightening around the head. I feel a little off balance when this happens. Ears feel weird too. Frightened!!! Any ideas..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need a little more information from you ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I need a little more information from you before concluding on the final cause for the brain zaps or electric shocks, so I would greatly appreciate it if you could write back to me with a response to my questions, thank you.

+Have you been diagnosed with any conditions other than BPPV?
+Are you on any current medications? If yes please mention them.
+Have you recently discontinued any medications? Or are you currently trying to discontinue any medications?
+If you were on any medications have you missed any dosages recently?
+Do you suffer from symptoms of anxiety or depression?
+Have you been stressed or anxious lately?
+Do you go about rapid eye movements?
+Have you ever lost consciousness?

I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you further.

Best wishes ma'am.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (40 minutes later)
Hi

I was told that I had Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia 3 and a half years ago. I take 10mg of Lexapro daily and have been doing so for the last 3 years and 4 months.
I haven't sopped taking the Lexapro. I probably have forgotten to take them 3 or 4 times in the last 3 years. Otherwise, I always take them.
The Doctor said that my eyes did a weird thing when she diagnosed me with BBPV. She carried out a test - the name escapes me - maybe Hallpik???
I have sufferd from anxiety in the past. I have had 5 years at home with small children and am now back at work 3 days a week. Finding it very tough indeed as I am a school teacher and the work is insurmountable and exhausting. I teach in a High School.
We lost my father-in-law last year to Cancer, my sister-in-law has Cancer and I lost a childhood friend in January to Cancer. Emotionally, it has been very very tough. I do feel I want to cry a lot at the moment. When Jacinta died, I threw myself into work and family so as not to feel. I can't manage that anymore as I feel so dizzy at times. Wondering if I am just fatigued or if there is something more sinister going on. Have had aches and pains in the past with the Chronic Fatigue but none of that at the moment. Just all in the head.
The electric shock symptons started a few months after my father-in-law passed away and then went. It was fairly strong. I felt my whole body slump with the strength of the electric shock. this Saturday I endured a couple of hours of it as my husband and I were out socialising with friends. I stayed calm even though scared and it became less frequent and then disappeared. I felt weak during the whole episode and like I was going to pass out but I didn't. I just felt exhausted by it all and then just wanted to sleep.
I have lost consciousness once - over 10 years ago. I passed out in a restaurant. Just felt faint but was fine afterwards.

Hope this helps.

Look forward to your reply.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Strongly suspect depression/anxiety to be the cause for this

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

One of the most common causes of electric shock like feeling in the head are:

+Side effect of medications
+Weaning off medications (col turkey)
+The electric shock like sensations in the brain/head region are found to be controlled by serotonin which controls the mood (e.g. depression). Thus most individuals suffering from anxiety or depression, or those individuals who have been diagnosed with depression and are weaning off the anti-depressants

So from your query I do see quite a strong possibility of both depression and anxiety and would urge you to approach a doctor for its management. Please do consider doing so.

Exhaustion is also commonly associated with both anxiety and depression. Initiating treatment for this should help, and if at all it does not then please do write back to me and I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Intermittent Electric Shock Sensations In Head?

Brief Answer: Need a little more information from you ma'am Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I need a little more information from you before concluding on the final cause for the brain zaps or electric shocks, so I would greatly appreciate it if you could write back to me with a response to my questions, thank you. +Have you been diagnosed with any conditions other than BPPV? +Are you on any current medications? If yes please mention them. +Have you recently discontinued any medications? Or are you currently trying to discontinue any medications? +If you were on any medications have you missed any dosages recently? +Do you suffer from symptoms of anxiety or depression? +Have you been stressed or anxious lately? +Do you go about rapid eye movements? +Have you ever lost consciousness? I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you further. Best wishes ma'am.