school and epilepsy

Re: school and epilepsy

Submitted by Vanessa SPS on Mon, 2011-12-05 - 00:09

Before I was diagnosed with simple partial seizures at 16, (I'm 20 now), I was diagnosed with clinical depression. I was verbally bullied in elementary school and though I had some very close friends in high school (who are still my best friends in college), my depression continued and worsened. My problem was that I didn't tell anyone. Once my anxiety peaked, I started having seizures (which at the time were diagnosed as panic attacks), and started seeing a therapist. The most important thing to do at this stage in your life is to tell someone responsible (parent/guardian/school counselor, etc.) that you aren't feeling so well emotionally so they can help you. It was at that point when my therapist sent me to a neurologist and my epilepsy was finally diagnosed. It turned out the seizures are located in the temporal lobe which deals with your emotions. Not only do people with epilepsy have a 50% more chance of having depression, but having temporal lobe epilepsy screws that up even more, and of course the bullying did not help. I was put on anti-depressants, and a couple years later in college, I feel better than ever. My advice to you is: 1. tell someone in your life what's going on, don't be afraid; 2. find something you feel dedicated to (like bowling or school) and STICK to it, especially in bad times, maybe you can even make friends with similar interests and if not, try new things (e.g.: working in an animal shelter was great therapy for me); and 3. RESPECT yourself. one day maybe you will find the strength to tell the bullies to shut up; they have no idea what you are going through. but i promise you, don't let them knock you down, because you are going through so much more than them yet are so much stronger. remember, and this, too, shall pass.

Re: school and epilepsy

Submitted by Dnasty on Tue, 2011-12-06 - 17:39

I'm 20, had epilepsy since I was 9. I know it sucks, especially at this age.I don't know what it's like to move to a new school. But the first day of high school I wore a shirt that said "Epilepsy Fighters Are Sexy". Another says "I have Epilepsy, what's your problem?". Some of my best friends are people who asked me about my epilepsy because they saw my shirts. I know it sounds stupid. People don't understand epilepsy until they've had a seizure. Screw those guys, they bully people because their life is messed up they need to feel better by picking on other people.Stay strong

And... Technically people with epilepsy are retarded. It is a disease that is categorised under mental retardation. I had that a few times and just told them that they're stating a fact, Congratulations. I might of said it a bit ruder though. Stay strong!!!