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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 jamespmnj on Wed, 2007-05-30 - 16:45
Hi Toots22,
I'm sorry about your mom. Medication can control the seizures, and we cannot predict when they are about to happen.
Think of it this way, if someone you knew went into a diabetic coma, and you knew about it plus what needed to be done, then you'd be able to help them get through it so it will normalize.
Same deal.
We all know what we need to look for when we have a seizure. Just communicate that to them. Communicate what he/she will need to watch for and/or do.
If you had a seizure around her, and she was aware of what could happen and what she would need to do, then she'd be able to help you get through it as well. Plus, she'd be able to communicate with you afterwards what happened, so that you can proceed onward.
Good luck. There is always hope and people who believe in you. The comments from everyone here has inspired me to reach out. Hang in there.
Re: Emotional Support
Submitted by CG on Thu, 2007-04-19 - 17:56
Sometimes. Lately, things between my parents and I have been bad. My triggers are financial, although the thought of my mother visiting me, can trigger me as well. My husband understands about my epilepsy, and supports me, but sometimes just doesn't get it when I tell him to turn off the lights, because of the bill, don't make so many long distance calls - we don't have the money. I have always been the one who takes care of the money, and I am a saver, he is a spender. I do not splurge, I shop around. If you cannot get their support and help. You have our support. Maybe take your parents to the MD with you. Have a family session.
Re: Re: Emotional Support
Submitted by stephanie patient on Wed, 2007-05-30 - 16:04
Sorry to be so blunt but it sounds like your mother did you a huge favor. You should surround yourself with people who really care about you and won't judge you like that. You could start your own local E group and meet at Starbucks or something to talk about what it's like to have this. Having this in common can be a very bonding thing with people.