Psychiatric Problems Associated With Epilepsy

Posted by Carnation @carnation, Jan 23, 2020

Have any of you seen a Psychiatrist for the Psychiatric problems that an epileptic will have, such as fear, depression, moods, anxiety, and many other emotional problems? I was made fun of by kids and I’m in my 50’s. Let me know. I have a fear of leaving my house when going to a lot of places. Do any of you have this problem?

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nadolski | @nadolski | May 15, 2021

I have not smoked K2 in ten years and every time I stop smoking meth, 4 days is the longest I have made it seizure free... My brain messes up like sketches out or something.

nadolski | @nadolski | May 15, 2021

I have quit alcohol 5 years ago and didn't have seizures from it I've also quit the use of pills and just being a plain drug addict and the meth and weed are all I still do. I have tried to quit meth but my brain flips on me and for the marijuana use, I just plain like it and I believe it helps me stay calm and to eat and sleep ....

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | May 15, 2021

@deeebeee
I'm concerned as I'm sure you are about your son stopping and altering his seizure medications without medical advice.
Epilepsy can have serious consequences like Convulsive Status Epilepticus which is a medical emergency that needs immediate medical intervention. Status seizures are when the person doesn't regain consciousness in between seizures or if someone has one or more seizures in a short period of time approximately 5 minutes or so.
Another danger is SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.) This almost always happens during Nocturnal seizures. SUDEP is more common in people with more frequent seizures but it also effects people with infrequent seizures as well, like the 17 year old daughter of a friend of mine. What's sad is that few physicians tell patients these conditions exist so they don't have potentially life-saving measures in place like anti-suffocation pillows, bed alarm or monitoring devices. Most importantly is taking medication consistently. Stopping seizure meds abruptly are a leading cause of seizures and Status Epilepticus. Your son is gambling with his life which isn't fair to him, you or his family. I'm don't imagine your son would want any member of his family to take such a gamble. Granted SUDEP is rare about 1 in a thousand. Status occurs more frequently but people die from regular seizures too. Not to mention all the accidents. Side effects of seizure meds are usually inevitable but they offen improve or go away within a few months. You son needs help to accept his condition. I'm sorry for all you've been through.
Blessings,
Jake

Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | May 17, 2021

Hi @carnation. It is really sad to hear that children and especially adults have made fun of your seizures. As @leonard wrote, try to see those as limited people. You, I, and many others have epilepsy, but we are much more than our epilepsies!
In your post, you have asked if others have psychiatric and mood problems due to epilepsy. I believe I do. As a child and adult, I have been a bit of an anxious person, but it was something controllable and that I could manage. In 2018, my epilepsy (I also have temporal lobe epilepsy with complex seizures) has evolved and my anxiety has increased much. I have tried to take some meds, but they were not good for me, I am very sensitive to medication. I then started to practice yoga, which I practice on a daily basis, helping me much to calm down and relax. If you are interested, it will be a pleasure to share this experience with you. Psychotherapy has also been of great help to me.
All the best to you!

Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | May 17, 2021

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@carnation Hello, I’ve had epilepsy for 52 years and I’ve had comments probably similar to yours...." + (show)

@jakedduck1

@carnation
Hello,
I’ve had epilepsy for 52 years and I’ve had comments probably similar to yours. People can definitely be cruel and and people who have said the most hurtful things to me have been adults. But you just have to talk to these people and explain how serious your condition is and just tell them a little bit about it. I think it’s important for everyone of us who have epilepsy to try to inform the people So they know what’s true and what’s not, they need to understand the seriousness and the consequences that seizures can have. I think what I dislike most about having epilepsy is the stigma.
You basically just have to understand that people making these comments are ignorant and it’s our responsibility in them. I just don’t let it bother me. In the past when children have made fun of me sometimes I told them that that’s funny but then I would explain how serious epilepsy is and that not all people wanna hear a joke about epilepsy and that it’s best not to tell them at all unless you know the person and you know they don’t mind. I don’t really mind it epilepsy jokes, I can laugh at myself when other people take it much more seriously. as far as anxiety and depression are concerned, those are major seizure triggers although anxiety and depression are very common in people who have epilepsy? as far as fear is concerned at least for myself I don’t really have any fear, I mean nobody can tell when a seizure is going to hit if I have a seizure I have a seizure. just don’t be ashamed of the fact that you have seizures. Wherever you’re going to go whatever you’re going to do and whoever you’re going to do it with make sure those people are aware that you may have a seizure and instruct them on proper first aid. have you ever tried talking to those children and telling them that the jokes are hurtful and explaining why.
would you mind sharing with us why are you have a fear of going so many places? Just because you have epilepsy that’s no reason to not go out and live and enjoy your life to the fullest.
Bless you,
Jake

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Hi @jakedduck1
I have very much enjoyed your posts. I agree that we the ones who have epilepsy have also to bring an understanding of epilepsy to others. This is something that the Epilepsy Foundation speaks much about. BTW, very soon there will be the Walk to End Epilepsy, which is also a walk to bring more awareness for epilepsy!
Kind Regards

abcla1315 | @abcla1315 | Jul 12, 2021

In reply to @jenfossbru "My son did see a psychologist for a few months to work on his anxiety &..." + (show)

Jennifer, It is great to hear your son is active and has a support group. What type of seizures does he have? What stuck out the most in this message is that he swims competitively, with epilepsy! Swimming is a huge fear of mine. How do y’all manage seizures in order to allow for swimming?

jenfossbru | @jenfossbru | Jul 12, 2021

In reply to @abcla1315 "Jennifer, It is great to hear your son is active and has a support group. What..." + (show)

He has focal seizures & are controlled on trileptal. He does not swim alone, but he has like 90 kids on his team. There is usually 3 coaches on deck, so he feels comfortable.

abcla1315 | @abcla1315 | Jul 12, 2021

Thanks for the response. Swimming is such a good sport! It makes me so happy to know that you all have a system that works!

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jul 12, 2021

In reply to @jenfossbru "He has focal seizures & are controlled on trileptal. He does not swim alone, but he..." + (show)

@jenfossbru
Good Morning,
What type of Focals does he have, Focal Aware or Impaired?
They used to be called Simple Partial or Complex partial?
Jake

jenfossbru | @jenfossbru | Jul 12, 2021

I believe simple partial.

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