Fainting spells

A friend of mine has for some time now suffered from fainting spells, averaging to 6 times a day. The duration of his loss of consciousness varies from 5-20 minutes. It is debilitating, he can't drive, work, etc. Anyone recognise this? Any suggestions as to what to do?

Well, one thing is for sure, and that is do what odettesmom advised....see a doc ! From experience, I do know that panic attacks can cause fainting spells. I understand that it is because when we panic we tend to hold our breath, which causes a shortage of oxygen to the brain, resulting in fainting until we breathe again normally. Also, when depression is diagnosed as a Bipolar disorder, seizures of the gran mall type are not uncommon.