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Neuropsychology - Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder - Easy read

Non-epileptic Attack Disorder

This leaflet is about Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder. We also call this NEAD. There are different names for NEAD. Some people may call it Functional Seizure Disorder. Some people call it Dissociative Seizure Disorder. In this leaflet we will use NEAD. When NEAD happens, your doctor will call this a NEAD episode.

Please read this leaflet with someone who supports you. If you have any questions, you can ask them for help.

What is NEAD? Your brain sends messages to your body about how to move. These messages tell your body when to move.

What part of hte body to move. How quickly or slowly to move.

The body sends messages back to the brain. It tells the brain how you are feeling. You cannot see these messages. They get sent without you having to think about it. The messages tell you if you are hungry, thirsty, or happy

Or sad, hot or cold. These messages usuallu travel very fast, but sometimes the messages STOP. When the messages stop your body and brain cannot speak to each other. This is when a NEAD episode happens. Here are some things that might help you when you have a NEAD episode.

Your body might shake. You might feel wobbly or dizzy. You might fall to the floor. You might have problmes seeing things.

You might have problems hearing things. You might not know what is happening. It can feel scary for you to have a NEAD episode. Sometimes you might fall and hurt yourself.

You will stay alive when you have a NEAD episode. You will feel better again soon. You can still do activities you enjoy with NEAD.

Why do people have NEAD? Lots of people have NEAD. NEAD happens when you have had a difficult time. Here are some of the difficult things that can heppen to you. Problems with money. Being treated badly by other people.

Feeling pain for a long time. The death of someone you love. Feeling scared for a long time. Feeling worried about other people.

Having lots of things to do. When dofficult things happen, more messages are sent. The brain gets tired when it is very busy. The brain stops sending messages so it can have a break. This is why NEAD happens. You might not know why you have NEAD. That is OK. THere are people who can help you understand NEAD.

How do I know I have NEAD? A special doctor called a Neurologist will hellp you. Neurologists know about how the brain works. The doctor will do a test to see if you have NEAD. This test will not hurt. Sometimes, we can have big feelings about NEAD.

You can talk to ta therapist who knows about NEAD. They will help you to understand why you have NEAD. Learn ways to have less NEAD episodes.

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For more information about NEAD, please have a look at our website www.manchesterneurosciences.com/departments/neuropsychology/nead

Or use the camera on your phone and look at the QR code below to open our website: 

Website QR code

Other useful websites

www.neurosymptoms.org

Contact details 

If you have any questions about NEAD, please contact us. Telephone 0161 206 4694. Email: reftoneuropsych@nca.nhs.uk Address: Department of clinical neuropsychology, ground floor, clinical sciences building, Salford Royal Hospital, Stot Lane, Salford, M6 8HD. This leaflet was written in December 2025 with ehlp from Salford Learning Disabilities Service. Photos from Photosymbols.

 

Date of Review: December 2025
Date of Next Review: December 2027
Ref No: PI_M_1863 (Salford)

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