Epilepsy Talk
Seizures…memory…depression. YES, they are linked! | May 21, 2024
At least one third of people with epilepsy also have depression.
Epilepsy can have different effects on memory functions and depression for various reasons.
Because the portion of the brain where memory and emotions are stored — the limbic system — can be disturbed by epileptic seizures.
In fact, memory problems are one of the most reported problems that coincide with epilepsy.
The normal processes that the brain goes through in storing memory may be disrupted during an epileptic seizure.
Loss of consciousness that occurs along with seizures can result in a loss of memory.
Usually, the memory loss is at the time immediately prior to the seizure, however, there have been exceptions to this.
People with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy are especially prone to memory loss.
Because those seizures usually begin in the deeper portions of the temporal lobe — especially the limbic system.
And since TLE is often medication resistant, the result is memory loss, often coupled with depression.
In a study of 70 treatment resistant people, 34% of the people showed significant depression.
They also had poorer performance on measures of intelligence, language, perception, memory, and executive function.
Severity of depressive symptoms were associated with the level of memory impairment in TLE patients.
Especially for people with a left-sided seizure focus.
And at the time of the study, depression seemed to be under-recognized and under-treated, since none of the people were in any kind of treatment.
In addition, it’s also important to understand that epilepsy is more than just a syndrome of seizures.
Other cognitive, behavioral, and emotional changes are present.
Although in the past, these have been generally viewed as side-effects of seizures.
And it has been presumed they would disappear once seizures were adequately controlled.
But since they may precede seizures, these conditions don’t uniformly resolve if seizures are fully controlled.
Therefore, it’s increasingly recognized that to improve the quality of life for many people with epilepsy, a “cure” must involve more than stopping or preventing seizures.
It also must include improving the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional difficulties that can be an equally or more disabling part of this disorder.
Coping with epilepsy is an ongoing battle. And until the physiological and emotional issues are addressed, the struggle will continue.
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Resources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110308172944.htm
https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/how-epilepsy-can-affect-memory#.WC3x4vkrLtU
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/thinking-and-memory/thinking-memory-and-epilepsy
https://psychcentral.com/depression/epilepsy-and-depression
https://www.defeatingepilepsy.org/living-with-epilepsy-series/anxiety-depression-and-epilepsy/
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2020-oct/epilepsy-and-depression
https://www.epilepsy.com/complications-risks/thinking-and-memory/diagnosing-memory-problems
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/living-epilepsy/memory/how-epilepsy-may-affect-memory
https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2019-oct/epilepsy-memory
Tags: depression, Epilepsy, limbic system, memory, physiological issues, seizures, side effects, temporal-lobe epilepsy
12 Comments »
Leave a reply to Phylis Feiner Johnson Cancel reply
About the author
Epilepsy Talk 
Could hospital-based integrative health specialists help?
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Comment by shedlightonepilepsy — May 21, 2024 @ 10:14 AM
Sure. If only such a thing existed in the mainstream.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2024 @ 10:20 AM
Hi Phyllis, I haven’t posted on the site in a while. I read your posts. Regarding the last one, I can say that I also have right temporal lobe epilepsy. I lost my memory from the seizures, I began to have frequent depressions, but I am struggling to deal with the problem on my own. I don’t remember past events, I also greet strangers.
I reduced the seizures (partial) to one every 3 months.
I can see that I am more able to work now and I don’t lose my memory.
In our country, nobody pays attention to these problems.
If you don’t help yourself, no one will help you.
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Comment by Goro — May 21, 2024 @ 10:16 AM
hi what did you do to reduce your seizures.
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Comment by I-Asia — May 21, 2024 @ 11:23 AM
Most of all, I try to control the stress in my life. I’m conscious of what I eat and how I treat my body. I try to engage in positive things when I’m depressed. There are a zillion things that you can do. This is just what works for me.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2024 @ 11:51 AM
has your doctor tried combined lacosamide & lamotrigine? The former is still quite new and very $$$ so insurance is an issue for many. I have seen nobody speak of it in a forum, so I’m guessing not many people know of it. I’ve had 100% freedom for over a decade after an ugly history like many people.
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Comment by Jeffrey Lee Hatcher — June 2, 2024 @ 4:57 PM
Wow. That’s all I can say. What a revelation!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — June 2, 2024 @ 7:16 PM
I’ve had terrible issues for memory since a status event in ’97 that caused hypoxia. What frustrates me is that the TLE memory issue, alone, should be classed as a psych disease that is simply ‘comorbid’ with epilepsy. But it isn’t, and I am convinced that the reason is so that psych’s needn’t come near us.
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Comment by Jeffrey Lee Hatcher — June 2, 2024 @ 4:43 PM
Well Jeffrey, some psychs come way too near, trying to wrestle themselves into our epilepsy comorbid problems.
They’d like to take ownership of them, but pills and therapy are not necessarily the answer.
if they were, we might be stuck on “the couch” forever. Because that’s how long it’s going to take for our memories to improve.
Sorry to sound so negative.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — June 2, 2024 @ 7:11 PM
Goro, this is sad news and good news.
The fact that your memory is diminished must be very difficult to deal with.
Yet, somehow you’ve reduced your seizures.
The good news is that you’re persistent and
positive enough to advocate for yourself.
As you know, without that, you have nothing. No matter where you live.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2024 @ 10:27 AM
Let me add, have your hearing checked and, if you need them, wear hearing aids. Hearing loss adds to depression, isolation, and memory loss.
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Comment by Hodo — May 21, 2024 @ 10:40 AM
Perceptive as always, Hodo.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 21, 2024 @ 10:54 AM