# Can a static (non-flashing) image set off an epileptic seizure?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-static-non-flashing-image-set-off-an-epileptic-seizure/554751>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 23, 2010, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-static-non-flashing-image-set-off-an-epileptic-seizure/554751 "2010-09-23T07:14:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-static-non-flashing-image-set-off-an-epileptic-seizure/554751/21 "2014-07-30T13:30:52Z")

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I’m not epileptic, but I did once get a SERIOUS headache from a static image. It was an overhead photo of a race car, taken with some kind of extreme fisheye lens. Something about how the image was composed and the craziness of the lens just warped this shot so much that it became so incongruous with reality, and looking at it gave me the one of the worst headaches of my life.

I’m an art director/graphic designer and I’ve looked at millions of photos of all types, but I’ve never had a reaction like that to one. It almost gives me a headache to think about that shot!

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-static-non-flashing-image-set-off-an-epileptic-seizure/554751/22 "2014-07-30T14:21:01Z")

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> [@Christluver24](#):
>
> I have epilepsy and I find it offensive for people who are “bored” to post a flashing image like this. I have been intubated multiple times and relied on life support to fight a seizure. People who don’t have epilepsy don’t understand what it’s like to have absolutely no control of your body. How many days will pass until you wake up. And it you have a massive seizure for a sustained amount of time. You may not wake up. I was browsing google images for epilepy quotes and this flashing image bullshit popped up. Epilepsy is not a joke. And yes that picture can trigger a seizure. If you would educate yourself you would know that everybody has a different trigger.

Please note that you revived a four year old thread.

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