Automatism

Automaticity is a phenomenon associated with epilepsy that manifests itself in unconscious movements or actions performed by a person during a seizure. Characteristic features of automatism are the lack of awareness and control over actions, as well as their automatic and repetitive nature.

Automatisms can manifest themselves in various forms and degrees of complexity. Some automatisms can be simple and subtle, such as repeatedly clapping or flapping your arms. Others may imitate more complex conscious actions, such as walking, talking, or performing tasks that would normally require conscious control.

Automatisms are caused by electrical activity in the brain, which is generated by epileptic irritation. During an epileptic attack, normal brain activity is disrupted and neural impulses can travel in unusual ways, causing unusual movements and behavior.

However, it should be noted that automatisms can occur not only in epilepsy, but also in other conditions, such as somnambulism, hypnosis, or taking certain medications. In these cases, the mechanisms of occurrence of automatisms may be different, but the common thing is the lack of awareness and control over actions.

To diagnose automatisms, it is important to conduct a thorough medical examination and identify the underlying disease or condition that causes their occurrence. This may include neurological tests, electroencephalogram (EEG) and other tests.

Treatment of automatisms is directly related to the elimination or control of the underlying disease or condition. In the case of epilepsy, the use of antiepileptic drugs can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, including automatic ones. In other cases, such as sleepwalking, lifestyle changes or other treatments may be necessary.

In conclusion, automatisms are an unusual and often confusing phenomenon associated with various conditions and diseases, especially epilepsy. Understanding their mechanisms of occurrence and associated factors is an important step in effective diagnosis and treatment.

Automatism: Understanding and Manifestation in Epilepsy

Automatism is a phenomenon that can be observed in people suffering from epilepsy and is characterized by the unconscious execution of various movements or tasks. These movements can be simple or repetitive, and sometimes even complex and similar to conscious actions.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes paroxysmal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to various symptoms. One of these symptoms is automatism. During an epileptic seizure, the patient may experience an altered state of consciousness and loss of control over his actions. Automatisms can manifest themselves in different forms, depending on the location of the discharge in the brain and its consequences.

Manifestations of automatism can be very diverse. Some automatic movements can be simple, such as clapping your hands, automatically waving your arms or legs, or repeating certain sounds or words. Other automatisms may be more complex and resemble conscious actions, such as walking, talking, or performing everyday tasks. In rare cases, people may even write, draw, or play a musical instrument during automatism.

However, it is important to note that the automatisms associated with epilepsy are unconscious and not under the control of the patient. These movements and actions occur as a result of involuntary electrical discharges in the brain. After an attack, patients may not remember or have only limited memory of their automatic actions.

Treatment of automaticity associated with epilepsy is usually aimed at controlling epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants may be used to help reduce the activity of epileptic discharges in the brain. In some cases where seizures do not respond to drug therapy, surgery may be considered to remove the source of the epileptic discharges.

In conclusion, Automatism is one of the manifestations of epilepsy in which the patient performs unconscious movements or tasks. This phenomenon can take various forms and is characterized by a loss of control over one's actions. Treatment is aimed at controlling seizures and may include medication or surgery. It is important to remember that automatisms are involuntary and not controllable by the patient manifestations of epilepsy.

Automaticity is a neurological disorder in humans characterized by repetitive behaviors or movements that occur without the patient's conscious control. This term is usually associated with epilepsy, but can occur in other neurological diseases.

One of the striking examples of automatism is the case of a girl described in Norman Doidge's book "Brain Plasticity." She exhibited an automatic gait, like many other patients with epileptic syndrome, in which similar symptoms are often observed. When the patient moves, he or she does not experience himself or herself as part of the body, but rather feels as if he is in a dream, where automatic movement occurs without conscious volition. This is known as autopsy, which is immersion in one's own thoughts or emotions without external input.

Typically, automation occurs in movements of the limbs or face, including automatic smiling, twitching, head nodding, and other sensory sensations expressed in physical activity. The repetitive nature of automatisms occurs in patients who have developed adaptive strategies or self-control skills over the course of their lives, and they often exhibit automatic behavior in repetitive situations.

On the other hand, automatic behavior can also lead to a decrease in the sense of presence in the surrounding reality and to a narrowing of consciousness. When a person continues to lie motionless in bed for several hours, for example, without any activity, although he is aware that he is obliged to carry out daily activity, the process becomes automatic and meaningless except to satisfy his own needs.