Epilepsy Talk
CBT — When you feel that you’ve hit rock bottom…
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Sara had a brain surgery gone wrong. She spent all of her savings and all of her resources on rehab. One year later, she went home, only to be able to toilet herself and say “dog”. She was lost.
Both physically and mentally. You might say she was “a basket case”.
Sandy was in a near fatal car accident. She survived, but just barely. After her physical healing, she said she couldn’t put two sentences together.
Then she heard about CBT.
Tags: anxiety disorders, behavioral therapy, behaviors, CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cognitive therapy, control, coping strategies, depression, feelings, Panic Attacks, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, problem-solving, psychiatric medications, severe mental illness., thoughts
Seizures…Memory…Depression. YES, They Are Linked!
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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.
Death, Depression and AEDs
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“Suicide Risk from 11 Anti-Epilepsy Drugs,” headlines blared across the country.
But we’re still here.
Was it sensationalism by the journalists, irresponsibility by the pharmaceutical industry or laxness of the FDA?
Tags: anti-epilepsy drugs, depakote, depression, FDA analysis, Felbatol, Gabitril, Keppra, Lamictal, Lyrica, Neurontin, suicide risk, Tegretol, Topamax, Trileptal, Zonegran
Depression is quiet
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Depression is quiet.
You would be surprised with how many people in your life could be going through depression at this very moment.
People hide it like a paper bag over their heads, out of fear of being judged, made fun of, seen as weak, or just not taken seriously.
Anyone can fall victim to it.
Tags: ashamed, assurance, breaking point, depression, disguising, help, hide, love and support, patience, people, precious, quiet, smile, surprised, talking, understand, victim, weak
Foods That Fight Stress…
13 Comments
I worked as a writer in the health and wellness field for more than ten years. So I know a thing or two about this stuff. (And stress!)
But I also know from personal experience that epilepsy is a very unique condition.
Between all the different types of seizures, and triggers, and meds…there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The same goes for de-stressing your diet.
What works for one might not work for another. And it certainly doesn’t take the place of meds.
However, I do believe that although living a healthy lifestyle won’t cure you…it can certainly help you.
So, here’s some information for sensible stress-busting eating…
Tags: anxiety, calm, cortisol, de-stress, depression, Folic Acid, foods, nervous system, panic, physical endurance, seizures, serotonin, stabilize, stress, vitamin B6
Move Over VNS…There’s A New Guy in Town!
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What if I were to say there’s a new nerve stimulation therapy that requires NO SURGERY and reduces seizures among those who are drug resistant by about 40 percent?
SAY HELLO TO TRIGEMINAL NERVE STIMULATION!
The difference between this experimental device and the VNS is that the skin is never penetrated and the TNS is powered by an external device about the size of a large cell phone.
Tags: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), new nerve stimulation therapy, no surgery, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), reduces seizures, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS), VNS
Seizure Provoking Conditions
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Few of these conditions will cause epilepsy itself…but many can lead to seizures. So consider this a definition of the possibilities…
Tags: abuse, alcohol, anxiety, blood sugar, cafeine, celiac, cerebral palsy, concussion, dementia, depression, drugs, eclampsia, Encephalitis, Epilepsy, genetic, heat, hemorrhage, hypertension, injury, kidney disease, lead, lupus, malaria, Medication Issues, mercury, migraines, seizure provoking conditions, Shaken Baby Syndrome, sodium, Stroke, toxic shock, Tumor, weather
Epilepsy — Preventing Depression — Project UPLIFT
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It’s called Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts). And eureka! It doesn’t include meds…
What’s more, this new study has proven successful in the prevention of depression in people diagnosed with epilepsy…
Tags: coping, depression, Epilepsy, interventions, mindfulness, positive techniques, prevention, Project UPLIFT, reduce seizures, worry
Vagus Nerve Stimulation…Is it for YOU?
55 Comments
Having a Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted can be a tough decision. Is it right for you? Will it work? What are the side effects and consequences?
I did some research and got the low-down on what it is, how it works and some interesting statistics. (If you are already acquainted with the VNS and are on the fence, you might want to just skip down to risks and benefits sections.)
Tags: brain, depression, electrical pulses, improvement, memory, mood swings, refractory, setting, signals, vagus nerve stimulator
UPDATE: AED Suicide Risk…
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July 28, 2010 Medical News Today
“While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a warning of an increased risk of suicide for all epilepsy drugs, a new study shows that only certain drugs may increase the risk. The study is published in the July 27, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology…
Tags: anti-epilepsy drugs, depression, new study, risk, suicide
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