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Have you ever had a moment where everything around you feels oddly familiar, like you’ve lived it all before, but you just can’t figure out when or how? It could be something as insignificant as the colour of the sofa, or the way your friend pats you on the back that may stir this strange feeling. It’s like your mind is pulling at fragments of a memory that might not even exist. Déjà vu can be a fascinating experience, but sometimes, it’s more than just a passing feeling. It can also be a sign of something concerning, like temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
To understand the lesser-known link between the two, our team at OnlyMyHealth connected with an expert, Dr. Vikram Panwar, Psychiatrist and Co-Founder, Synapses Neuropsychiatry Center, New Delhi. This is what he shared with us.
Also Read: Déjà Vu: Expert Explains The Cause Behind The Memory Illusion
How Are Déjà vu And TLE Linked?
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“Déjà vu is the sensation of familiarity with a new experience. Neurologically, it’s linked to the temporal lobes, which handle emotions and memory. In TLE, seizures originate in the temporal lobes, areas of the brain crucial for processing emotions and memory”, said Dr. Panwar. He further added that Individuals with TLE may experience déjà vu as an aura, serving as a warning sign before a seizure. This suggests that déjà vu in these cases results from abnormal electrical activity in the temporal lobes.
How Does TLE Manifest? Signs And Symptoms
Dr. Panwar shared with us that beyond déjà vu, TLE can manifest through various symptoms. Here’s a lowdown of the symptoms that Dr. Panwar highlighted:
- Emotional Changes: Sudden feelings of fear, anxiety, or joy.
- Sensory Disturbances: Unusual perceptions of taste, smell, or sound.
- Autonomic Signs: Physical sensations like a rising feeling in the stomach or changes in heart rate.
- Cognitive Alterations: Memory lapses or a sense of unfamiliarity with familiar environments.
- Behavioural Automatisms: Repetitive movements such as lip-smacking or hand gestures.
These symptoms reflect the temporal lobes’ role in managing emotions, sensory input, and memory.
How To Know If Your Deja Vu Is A Cause For Concern?
Dr. Panwar says, “Distinguishing between typical déjà vu and that associated with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) involves evaluating the frequency, context, and accompanying symptoms. Common déjà vu is infrequent and brief, occurring without other signs.” He further adds that in contrast, TLE-related déjà vu often precedes seizures and may be accompanied by:
- Sudden intense emotions (e.g., fear, anxiety, joy).
- Sensory disturbances (e.g., unusual tastes, smells, sounds).
- Physical sensations (e.g., rising feeling in the stomach).
- Repetitive movements (e.g., lip-smacking, hand gestures).
Dr. Panwar strictly highlights,“If déjà vu experiences are frequent, prolonged, or accompanied by such symptoms, seeking medical evaluation is advisable to rule out TLE or other neurological conditions.”
Here Are 6 Main Causes Of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
“Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)”, said Dr. Panwar. Here’s what he shared with us.
- Prolonged febrile seizures: Experiencing long-lasting seizures associated with high fevers during childhood is a significant risk factor.
- Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries can lead to scar tissue formation, which may trigger seizures.
- Infections: Conditions like encephalitis or meningitis can damage the temporal lobes, leading to epilepsy.
- Structural abnormalities: Tumours or malformations in the temporal lobe can predispose individuals to TLE.
- Genetic predisposition: A family history of epilepsy may increase susceptibility to TLE.
- Age: TLE commonly begins in childhood or adolescence. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, It usually begins around age 10 or 20, but can start at any age.
Our expert also adds that while these factors are associated with a higher risk, not everyone with these conditions will develop TLE.
Also Read: Fatima Sana Sheikh Opens Up About Epilepsy Diagnosis; Here’s Everything To Know About It
How Can You Recover From TLE?
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) can be managed through several treatment approaches. This is what Dr. Panwar shared:
Medications
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, two out of 3 people with temporal lobe epilepsy achieve good seizure control with seizure medication. Corroborating the same, Dr. Panwar shares that anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are the primary treatment for TLE.
Disclaimer: We strictly advise our readers to consult a doctor before they ascertain that they may require medication. The aforementioned expert inputs are for informational purposes only.
Surgery And Neuromodulation Therapies
In some cases, curbing seizures through medication can be difficult. In such cases, epilepsy surgery can be an option. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, in some cases, up to 7 out of 10 people can be seizure-free after surgery with few side effects afterwards.
Bottomline
Most of the time, déjà vu is just a passing, harmless feeling, a little glitch in the brain that makes you smile or pause for a moment. But if it happens often, lasts longer than usual, or comes with strange sensations like intense emotions or odd physical feelings, it could be your brain’s way of telling you something more serious is going on.
In case that happens, don't fret. With the right medical care, TLE can be managed. If your déjà vu feels different or concerning, don’t ignore it, talk to a doctor. Catching it early could make all the difference. Indubitably, it's always better to be safe when it comes to your health.