Purple Day 2026
💜 Why People With Epilepsy and NEAD Need Clinicians Who Understand Both conditions…
For many people, a diagnosis of epilepsy is only part of the story. A significant number also experience Non‑Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD) a condition that causes real, involuntary seizures that look and feel similar to epileptic events but arise from different mechanisms in the brain. Research suggests that 10–30% of people with epilepsy also have NEAD, yet this overlap is still poorly recognised and often misunderstood.
Purple Day is a moment to raise awareness of epilepsy, but it’s also an opportunity to highlight the experiences of those living with both conditions. Their journey is often more complex, more emotionally demanding, and more vulnerable to gaps in care. One of the biggest challenges they face is accessing clinicians who understand the full picture.
Two Conditions, Two Mechanisms — One Person
Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. NEAD seizures are not. They are real, involuntary episodes that arise from the brain’s threat‑response and emotional regulation systems. Both can be frightening, exhausting, and disruptive, but they require different approaches to diagnosis, management, and support.
When someone has both epilepsy and NEAD, the lines can blur. Seizures may look similar. Symptoms may overlap. Families may feel unsure which type they’re seeing. And without specialist input, people can end up in a cycle of repeated emergency attendances, uncertainty, and distress.
Why Seeing an Epilepsy Specialist Matters
An epilepsy specialist plays a crucial role in:
Accurately identifying seizure types
Optimising medication
Reducing unnecessary treatments
Providing clarity and reassurance
Supporting safe, confident self‑management
For anyone with epilepsy, and especially for those with both epilepsy and NEAD, this expertise is essential. Misdiagnosis or uncertainty can lead to overtreatment, avoidable admissions, and increased anxiety for young people and families.
Why Seeing Someone Who Understands NEAD Matters Just as Much
NEAD requires a different kind of support — one grounded in emotional health, wellbeing, and trauma‑informed care. Clinicians trained in NEAD can help people:
Understand what NEAD is (and what it isn’t)
Make sense of triggers and patterns
Build emotional regulation skills
Reduce the frequency and impact of episodes
Feel validated rather than dismissed
NEAD is not “put on”. It is not a choice. And it is not something people can simply “stop”. It deserves the same level of respect, understanding, and structured support as any other health condition.
The Overlap Needs Joined‑Up Thinking
When epilepsy and NEAD co‑exist, the most effective care comes from clinicians who understand both conditions, an epilepsy specialist who can confidently manage epileptic seizures, and clinicians who understand emotional health and wellbeing who can support NEAD.
This combination brings clarity. It reduces fear. It empowers families. And it ensures that no part of a person’s experience is overlooked.
Standing With Everyone Living With Seizures
On Purple Day, we stand with every young person, adult, and family navigating seizures of any kind. Your symptoms are real. Your experiences matter. And you deserve care that sees the whole you, not just one part of your story