Woman diagnosed with rare condition after experiencing…

Woman diagnosed with rare condition after experiencing uncontrollable laughter

A woman has spoken out about being diagnosed with a rare condition that leaves her uncontrollably laughing - leading to some awkward encounters with people who do not understand.

Becca Banks, 35, began to experience ‘strange episodes’ over three years ago, but doctors had originally diagnosed her with anxiety and depression before she was put on medication for 18 months.

After a while, she began to question her diagnosis and decided to get a second opinion, privately.

Her sister-in-law Jean Stone, 40, said Ms Banks had suffered from epilepsy as a child and was diagnosed at seven years old, but that she "grew out" of it at the age of 16.

Doctors later discovered Ms Banks was suffering from a rare form of epilepsy called gelastic epilepsy, which causes focal or partial seizures with bouts of uncontrolled laughing or giggling without any warning - she also suffers with uncontrollable crying.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Jean said: "Becca had epilepsy as a child, she was initially diagnosed when she was seven but grew out of it by the age of 16.

“About three and a half years ago she started experiencing strange episodes — the only way we can explain it.

"Becca's form of epilepsy is extremely rare because only one in 200,000 people have it and instead of having seizures where she blacks out or fits, she has uncontrollable laughs or cries because the area of her brain which is affected is the emotional quarter, so to speak.

"At first her doctors diagnosed her with depression and anxiety, she was put on antidepressants and anxiety tablets for 18 months. She obviously gained lots of weight and I think deep down she knew it was a wrong diagnosis and went to seek private help."

Despite her diagnosis, Jean said Ms Banks is "strong, courageous and independent".

The 35-year-old is currently in hospital undergoing further tests to see what medication is best and whether she will need surgery.

Jean added that Ms Banks has faced situations where people have been left baffled by her behaviour and some are even "nasty" towards her because they don’t understand.

She said: "It's hard in different ways. For Becca herself it is embarrassing more than anything because the seizures are not typical seizures someone would recognise.

“She's had incidents where people have been quite nasty with her because they think she is laughing at them or they just don't understand what is going on."

According to statistics, just one in every 200,000 people suffer from this type and it is also more common in children than it is in adults.

Ms Banks is keen to raise awareness of this condition and along with her sister-in-law is organising a charity gala in aid of epilepsy awareness and to raise money for more research.

The black tie charity gala will be held at The Heath Business and Technical Park in their home town of Runcorn in Cheshire on November 12.

It will include Ibiza style music, live music from duo Sairasax and Adbongo, prosecco on arrival, hot food, raffles and more.