Transient loss of consciousness ('blackouts') in over 16s

If the cause of your blackout remains uncertain

Sometimes people have blackouts that happen for psychological or emotional reasons – these blackouts may look like epileptic seizures (and are known as 'psychogenic non-epileptic seizures' or PNES) or may appear to be like other types of blackouts (also known as 'psychogenic pseudosyncope'). The specialist team should consider these if you keep having repeated blackouts and if, for example, the nature of your blackouts keeps changing or they last for a long time, or you have a number of other unexplained symptoms.

You should be advised to try to record any future blackouts (for example, by getting a video recording of your blackout using a camera in a mobile phone or a detailed description of your blackout from a witness).

If the cause of your blackout remains uncertain after further assessment, or treatment you have been receiving isn't working, the specialist team should then consider other causes for your blackout, including the possibility that there is more than one cause.