Epilepsy Talk
Vagus Nerve Stimulation…Is it for YOU?
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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.
Tags: brain, depression, electrical pulses, improvement, memory, mood swings, refractory, setting, signals, vagus nerve stimulator
When it’s not “just” epilepsy…
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At least 50 percent of adults with active epilepsy are also living with other health conditions say experts at a leading epilepsy medical research charity.
Why would a psychiatrist be embarrassed?
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Pills. Medication. They’re a sign of mental illness.
Even if you take them for depression, stability, anxiety.
There must be something inherently wrong with you.
What does it mean if you do need medication?
Are you’re crazy? Mentally ill? Unstable? Unreliable?
What if you ARE a psychiatrist AND take medication?
Tags: anxiety, crazy, depression, medication, mental illness, pills, Psychiatrist, stability, stigma
Treating depression is no laughing matter. Or is it?
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When you think of treating depression, your mind often goes to antidepressant pills, pills, and more pills. Sometimes all for naught.
According to research published in the World Journal of Psychiatry, up to 15% of people diagnosed with depression don’t respond to traditional medication.
And around 35% say that antidepressants only offer partial relief from widely available treatments, highlighting the need for medication that works in different ways.
Wounds That Time Won’t Heal — Childhood Abuse and Epilepsy
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All types of abuse — sexual, physical, and emotional (including verbal abuse and witnessing domestic violence) raise the risk of depression, anxiety and epilepsy-like symptoms.
Research featured in Harvard Mental Health Letter and published in The American Journal of Psychiatry looked at the damage that hostile words, and/or yelling can have on a child.
They found “words are weapons that can cause lasting wounds, especially when wielded by parents against children.
The damage is sometimes more serious and lasting than injuries that result from beatings”, say Harvard researchers reporting on a survey of young adults.
Depression is quiet
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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.
Tags: ashamed, assurance, breaking point, depression, disguising, help, love and support, patience, precious, smile, surprised, talking, understand, victim, weak
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
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.
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