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epilepsy and "rage episodes"

Sat, 01/08/2005 - 16:37
hello,I'm wondering if anyone has any input or experience with this. My brother has epilepsy diagnosed in his early 20's. Seizures are mostly controlled by medication. However, he has episodes of extreme, nearly violent rage where he seems out of control and screams at people in a way that is pretty scary. I have always noticed that he has what we called a "bad temper" but really it was always alot more than that. Now though, these episodes are becoming more frequent. (3-4 times weekly)We are wondering if this has anything to do with his epilepsy. The episodes are so extreme that it seems not right. He screams and throws things though he has not been physically violent. If anyone has any input it would be great to hear. Does this sound at all familiar to anyone else?Thanks.

Comments

Re: epilepsy and "rage episodes"

Submitted by ChrisArc on Fri, 2009-12-18 - 22:00

I am a 48-year-old male with epilepsy, which has gotten
worst over the last few years. I have been having rage attacks. I stay in a low
amount of anger all the time, but some things really bring out the rage in me.
I have noticed that when my Dilantin level goes to high the rage is much worst.

 

One time the level got really high and that morning I
started hearing I little tune in the back of my mind that keep getting louder
and louder driving me nuts. Later that day is was still nervous and we went to
a restaurant for my wife’s work’s Christmas party. When numbers were handed out
for gifts they missed giving my wife one and the lady on the other side of the
table noticed. She started trying to get the attention of the ladies that
handed them out and we said, “That is OK”. She keep trying and we keep saying “That
is OK” after about the eight time of saying it I actually felt my conscious
mind move out of the way, lost vision in one eye, my body rouse up and the left
side of my lips were moving and I said loudly “that’s OK” and my legs took me
out of the room we were in. After I was out my conscious mind returned but I
was in panic. I told my wife I need to go to the emergency room, and they gave
a shot and later two pills before I claimed down. I needed Xanx to keep my
panic under control of a few months after that episode.

I am a 48-year-old male with epilepsy, which has gotten
worst over the last few years. I have been having rage attacks. I stay in a low
amount of anger all the time, but some things really bring out the rage in me.
I have noticed that when my Dilantin level goes to high the rage is much worst.

 

One time the level got really high and that morning I
started hearing I little tune in the back of my mind that keep getting louder
and louder driving me nuts. Later that day is was still nervous and we went to
a restaurant for my wife’s work’s Christmas party. When numbers were handed out
for gifts they missed giving my wife one and the lady on the other side of the
table noticed. She started trying to get the attention of the ladies that
handed them out and we said, “That is OK”. She keep trying and we keep saying “That
is OK” after about the eight time of saying it I actually felt my conscious
mind move out of the way, lost vision in one eye, my body rouse up and the left
side of my lips were moving and I said loudly “that’s OK” and my legs took me
out of the room we were in. After I was out my conscious mind returned but I
was in panic. I told my wife I need to go to the emergency room, and they gave
a shot and later two pills before I claimed down. I needed Xanx to keep my
panic under control of a few months after that episode.

Re: epilepsy and "rage episodes"

Submitted by maBenzi on Sat, 2009-12-19 - 07:38
I totally freak out when I realise the person I am dealing with does not understand epilepsy and is accusing me of all kinds of things.  This is usually my husband. I have now threatened people with court action for slander. What AED is your brother on. The side-effects can be rage. Keppra is known for that especially. Try and find the trigger for the rages. Epilepsy is physiological impairment not psychological impairment. Sometimes I dont realise I am shouting either and people especially my husband will take huge offence. There is such a lack of understanding of our condition it makes it hard to get through the day.

Re: epilepsy and "rage episodes"

Submitted by gerling on Sun, 2009-12-20 - 01:06

It's troubling to realize I'm a middle-aged, TLE refractory adult with the emotional dyscontrol of a kindergartner denied access to a box of Twinkies.  This past Wednesday I threw a tantrum at work that alarmed and angered everyone, and filled me with an enormous sense of guilt, not to mention dread over the possibility of losing my job.  Most likely your brother is very scared over his inability to regulate his moods and needs your support and understanding.  

Several years ago, I noticed that my medications had stopped controlling my simple partial seizures.  Like your brother, I've always been irritable, but since my epilepsy has become refractory, the crabbiness has turned into frequent, unpredictable attacks of rage. I feel for him.

I'm thinking about trying some non-drug treatments, like relaxation techniques, more vigorous exercise, proper nutrition (especially B vitamins), writing, massage, and prayer.

It's troubling to realize I'm a middle-aged, TLE refractory adult with the emotional dyscontrol of a kindergartner denied access to a box of Twinkies.  This past Wednesday I threw a tantrum at work that alarmed and angered everyone, and filled me with an enormous sense of guilt, not to mention dread over the possibility of losing my job.  Most likely your brother is very scared over his inability to regulate his moods and needs your support and understanding.  

Several years ago, I noticed that my medications had stopped controlling my simple partial seizures.  Like your brother, I've always been irritable, but since my epilepsy has become refractory, the crabbiness has turned into frequent, unpredictable attacks of rage. I feel for him.

I'm thinking about trying some non-drug treatments, like relaxation techniques, more vigorous exercise, proper nutrition (especially B vitamins), writing, massage, and prayer.

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