Which of the following best describes the feeling of unfamiliarity as part of a complex partial seizure (focal onset impaired awareness seizure)?
a. Dissociation b. Derealization c. Jamais vu d. Déjà vu
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. Jamais vu.
Jamais vu refers to the feeling of unfamiliarity or strangeness about something that is typically familiar. This phenomenon is often experienced during complex partial seizures, or focal onset impaired awareness seizures, when a person perceives familiar surroundings, people, or objects as strangely unfamiliar. The individual might look at their own home or even a close friend and feel as though they have never encountered them before, despite knowing logically that they are familiar.
This sensation occurs due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, often in the temporal lobe, which can affect memory and perception. The temporal lobe is responsible for processing sensory input and storing long-term memories, which explains why the seizure can cause disorientation or a sense of unfamiliarity with well-known environments or people. The altered brain function during a seizure leads to a temporary breakdown in the brain’s ability to recognize familiar stimuli, causing the feeling of unfamiliarity.
Jamais vu is different from déjà vu, which is the feeling that an unfamiliar situation has been experienced before. While derealization refers to the feeling that the environment is unreal or dreamlike, and dissociation involves a feeling of being disconnected from one’s thoughts, feelings, or surroundings, jamais vu specifically describes the experience of the familiar becoming unfamiliar. This experience can be distressing for those experiencing it, as it disrupts the usual sense of reality and recognition.
Understanding these terms and their differences is important for recognizing and diagnosing different types of seizures and their neurological impact on individuals.