Epilepsy and Vivid Dreams: What’s the Connection? 

Epilepsy and sleep has been the subject of many studies proving conclusively that the two are linked in various ways. One of the more debated and less studied areas, however, is the impact of epilepsy on a person’s dreams. Many people with epilepsy have reported that their dream content is much more vivid and emotional after diagnosis. 

See parasomnia epilepsy for an example of this. 

Reports are mixed, with some reporting vivid dreams that cause them fear or anxiety, whilst others report dreams as being enjoyable. The one commonality, regardless of dream content, is that they are hyper-vivid and ultra realistic, with many commenting it’s difficult to tell the difference between their dreams and real life. 

Sleep paralysis is another phenomenon that is commonly reported in people with epilepsy. Although not exclusive to people with epilepsy, sleep paralysis is a feeling of being fully conscious but unable to move or speak and is often accompanied by a feeling of terror. In fact, sleep paralysis occurs usually at two times, whilst falling asleep or whilst waking up and is a state between consciousness and unconsciousness, hence the inability to move whilst feeling awake. Whilst many people will experience this once or twice in their life, people with epilepsy do tend to report it happening more frequently after diagnosis. 

What could be the reason for vivid dreams in people with epilepsy? 

Interestingly, these vivid dreams in many cases have been likened to focal aware seizures (also known as warnings). This type of seizure will often precede other seizure types. This comparison has led researchers to hypothesise that vivid dreams are caused by the same neural pathways that cause focal aware seizures. However, this is just a hypothesis and more research would be needed to confirm this.  

Another common cause for a change in sleep or dream activity can be anti-seizure medication that has been prescribed. Some people with epilepsy have reported an increase in dream activity following a change in their medication. 

The research gap

Although there are many reports of vivid dreams and altered dream content, there is still much to be learned about the impact of epilepsy on dream content and sleep altogether. Few studies have been concluded that can definitively answer the many questions on the connection between epilepsy and vivid dreams. However, from anecdotal evidence, it’s possible that there is a likely connection. 

If you are someone who is experiencing vivid dreams or any other dream related impacts you think might be related to your epilepsy, or more particularly the medication and treatment you receive, we recommend speaking to your neurologist or a healthcare professional.