My wife has been suffering from severe panic attacks. They appeared to be myoclonic seizures, although she was conscious and not unconscious. Mentally she was terrified and thought she might be going insane.

She was examined by three psychiatrists and three neurologists. No one could conclude upon a diagnosis. It was unclear whether the causation was from some form of epilepsy, withdrawal from risperidone or a resurgence of bipolar.

However, Dr. Lawrence Hirsch, Director. of the Epilepsy Department at Yale New Haven Hospital organized a team including Dr.Rampal and Dr. Sheikh. He arranged for a simultaneous electroencephalogram correlated with a video camera over two days.

The result was a definitive conclusion, that the cause of the panic attacks was not any form of epilepsy. This was a dramatic contribution to the diagnosis.

Dr. Hirsch is superb at linking research findings to practical problems. He is always been a kind and sincere gentleman.

Submitted Nov. 13, 2017