Epilepsy/BiPolar

Re: Epilepsy/BiPolar

Submitted by rascal_on_fire on Wed, 2010-02-17 - 04:37

I am 23 and have been epileptic since the age of 16, I was recently diagnosed as bipolar after yet another manic episode, this time followed by a suicide attempt. Noone told me about any links between epilepsy and bipolar though, this is the first I've heard about it. Limictin and Topamax both double up as anticonvulsants and mood stabilisers though, and i'm doing much better on these meds. Despite the side effects.

Re: Epilepsy/BiPolar

Submitted by pewter on Sat, 2011-07-23 - 10:44

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder BEFORE I began having the seizures.  The seizures came within 8 months of a car accident.

The anti-epileptics that those with seizures take to control the seizures ALSO greatly effect/affect many with Bipolar and are used as "mood stabilizers", along with other medication classifications (ie., anti-psychotics, benzodiazepines, etc...).

Many with epilepsy and seizures, cause we all know there is a difference... also receive benzodiazepines to control their epilepsy and seizures.  Benzos are Valium, Klonopin, Xanax, etc... and those are also used for Anxiety that often occurs with the Bipolar symptoms.

In addition, many of the anti-epileptic medications do have possible mood alterating side effects as well as other psychiatric side effects, like psychosis and hostility.  Because many with Bipolar also take these medications for mood stabilization, they too develop many of the side effects that worsen their already symptoms or create many "new" psychiatric symptoms.

Mood shifting tends to come on, quite often, with triggers.  Seizures can be brought on, as well, by triggers.  Some of the triggers are sleep deprivation, stress, trauma, nutrition, chaotic living environment, not taking medication consistently or as prescribed.  

Mood shifting can also occur completely by surprise and with no rhyme or reason.  Same with many types of Seizures.  You just never really know when a mood shift will occur as you'd not know when a seizure may occur in many ways.

So... the 2 do have a lot in common and there have been folks trying to research the correlations between Bipolar and Seizures.  I'm actually quite glad of it.  Anything that affects/effects the brain and it's wiring - whether Bipolar or Seizures - needs study because the hope is that eventually... there will be better therapy(ies) for those with Bipolar and those that have Seizures.

I think its important from my

Submitted by Jerseyrobyn6 on Sun, 2017-08-06 - 11:47

I think its important from my experience to try not to place yourself or children in specific category as it isn't healthy to label an illness, of course a medical expert should be consulted for medications, however many of us have overlapping symptoms, let's face it the human body is a miracle right !? What is normal, the brain is amazing, one has to be careful not to over dilute, eg I have a complex mix of depression/some manic episodes/Bipolar. At times the depressive symptoms were severe, I've been in and out of hospital, on various combinations. I keep trying as it isn't a one stop shoo. What works for one individual may not for another, same goes with physical injury, that's it we are unique. Try not to brain wash children, let them be the best they can be and allow them freedom to talk with their medical providers, and for good ness sake don't change them or keep them invalid.