Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Emotional Support
Fri, 04/13/2007 - 23:00Hi all.
Do any of you have difficulty of getting emotional support from other family members? I see many posts of family members and friends wanting to know how to offer support and understnding for those relatives and/or friends with epilepsy. My sisters offer no support to me. I have complex partial seizures. While my friends and co-workers are very supportive and understanding, my sisters are not. In fact, my friends and co-workers feel more like family to me than my sisters do. I was diagnosed with epilepsy in July of last year. Apparently, my sisters did not even believe me when I told them. After a seizure in which I injured myself, they both actually asked me if I was sure that it was epilepsy I had been diagnosed with. I was very hurt by the fact that they did not believe me. I even had to read the EEG report to them. I have tried to get them to look at this web site and others to read about my disorder, so they have a better understanding of me and some of the problems I have to deal with because of my disorder. I do not think either of them have. How do I get through to them that I need their support and help? Thanks. tlh64
Comments
Re: Re: Emotional Support
Submitted by IceQueen on Thu, 2007-04-19 - 17:00
Wow...I thought I had the only mother who was a witch! *laugh*
I was just down there on vacation, and really had a short fuse (Keppra side effect apparently). I talked to my Dr today told mom, tried to apologize (even though the fight was my sister's fault for calling me a liar and threatening to punch me...over calling her over to my dad at her request (i'm 31 and she's 27)), and she was like, yeah you and your sister...I'm ashamed of you...your dad had a cold, you need to be considerate. Well, what about me? I'm the one with epilepsy and a brain tumor and PCOS, and a husband whose idea of support is chatting online with strange women and downloading thousands of pictures of objectionable material. Oh, and when I get stressed/angry, the Keppra apparently wears off faster, so I end up having auras and seizures before the 12 hr mark. So knowing this, they still all act up like jerks.
They saw one, a minor one, and said once more that if I wasn't fat (5'5", 192 lbs), none of this would happen.
I feel helpless sometimes...angry, sad...heck, ready to pick up smoking or go out and kill myself. So now I'm being changed to Lamictal to "mellow and even" me out (dr's words, not mine).
Good luck to you. This board is great for support though so hang out and you'll hopefully find a glimmer of support.
Hi toots, I'm truly sorry
Submitted by solis on Thu, 2007-04-19 - 22:07
Hi toots,
I'm truly sorry that happened.
Sadly, sometimes friends & relatives just don't want to deal with what they can't understand. I choose to look at that situation as positive as I learned quickly who were really special people.
~sol
Re: Emotional Support
Submitted by toots22 on Thu, 2007-04-19 - 16:44
I know where you are coming from. Last year (after 10 years of epilepsy) my mother "disowned" me because of my seizures - I have granmal and petite. She said she was tired of watching me do this to myself. How do you deal with that? Need help.