Panic attacks after visual overstimulation?

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Hi all,
Last night at about 1 am, I was playing around on the internet when I came across a very strange Youtube video. It was part of a Pokemon episode from the late 90s that had been banned in Japan because its flashing bright lights gave many children seizures. Electric Soldier Porygon. In bad judgement, I decided to watch the clip to see what it was about. It started off alright, but at the part where Pikachu destroyed the missiles the whole screen lit up with quickly alternating red and purple lights. At that moment, something incredibly strange and scary happened. It felt as though I was losing consciousness or something, I felt very dizzy and like I was going to pass out. I dropped the computer and ran into the room where my parents were watching TV. A few minutes later they went to bed, and I returned to my room. After a minute, I was having these same sensations again, and it felt like a panic attack. I was so scared because my heart was racing and I have high blood pressure..I thought it would never calm down. For the next hour before I fell asleep, I kept having little "episodes" like this, where it would feel like part of me was being pulled from consciousness, and I would feel dizzy. I've been feeling "off" all day because of this, and just a little while ago had another anxiety attack. I guess they're more like mini attacks. My mind will start to think back to that video and my fear of having a seizure, and a very dark, bad feeling will wash over me. I get really warm when this happens, like a hot flash.

What the heck happened to me last night? I have no prior history of epilepsy, but I do have light sensitivities and have had panic attacks in the past, years ago. Was this just an anxiety attack brought on by extreme overstimulation? I've never reacted to visual stimuli like this before. Has anyone had an experience similar to this?

You had an epileptic seizure and now you know why Porygon is banned.

No, you probably don't have epilepsy. That scene caused widespread epileptic seizures through children in Japan, some who didn't have epilepsy. For years tapes of Porygon have been locked away in a vault owned by the Japanese government. Some actually feared the images could be weaponized.

I would not suggest repeated viewings.

It probably was flicker vertigo. I wouldn't worry too much about it, just don't watch the video again.

I kind of get a similar feeling when I go into a Red Robin. Noisy, crowded, too much Neon, but that's more of an anxiety attack then what you experienced.

Tell me about it - the mall is like that for me. I think the fear of losing control and having a seizure made this worse than anything I've had before... I do wonder why I'm still having these mini attacks. Hopefully they'll subside in the next few days.

I was tempted to post the Youtube of the Simpons making fun of this with "Battle Seizure Robots"...


Even the mild flashing may be too much. Glad you're okay! Those WII game warnings aren't just for show, I guess!

THIS one is safe though!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOqnwxF8MSM&feature=fvwp[/youtube]

LMAO Was that the original version of that Simpsons episode or were they watching the Pokemon episode on the TV?

Does the Battle Seizure Robots clip have flashing lights? I kind of want to watch it

anyone can get an epilleptic seisure, even if you have no history of such for 5 generations of your family.
what you described was indeed a classical seisure, and the fear you felt later might have been some kind of post-traumatic stress.

i myself also watched that episode, but luckily, i was able to survive without too much trouble, since i do have light epilepsi and therefor have developed several 'defences' which i put up before starting the episode (i knew what it was about beforehand); this tactic drained almost all my energy, but i did avoid a seisure

Thanks for your responses. I'm feeling better so far today, and hoping the panic is mostly gone.

Onks - I'm not sure if this triggered memories of previous experiences or if it was just the overstimulation that caused this reaction. I can't think of any bad memory that could be triggered by flashing lights, but who knows?