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.
Drinking
Mon, 09/27/2010 - 22:46I have a mild case of Epilepsy (complex partial with secondary generalised tonic clonic seizures), very well controlled with medication.
My only real problem is my family’s refusal to acknowledge that I have it. I have never been a drinker but my family members are. I have explained to my family many, many times I cannot drink because I don’t want to risk a seizure (also I really don’t care for the stuff), yet they are constantly trying to encourage me to drink.
It’s like they don’t want to believe this thing is real. I rarely talk about it because it’s either dismissed or they (all) get very annoyed and/or upset. WTF? I don’t try to stop them drinking, but it seems to make them crazy that I don’t - for an excellent reason in my opinion.
Please note I am a grown woman in her 40’s and I have no clue why I let them get to me on this topic. Any advice on how to respond to the endless offers booze (and ideally how to make them stop) would be greatly appreciated.
Comments
Re: Drinking
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Wed, 2010-09-29 - 16:24
Rubiks, I think they're simply in denial, like my family was for 37 years...until I almost died. Then it was kind of hard to ignore!
First of all, they may feel defensive about their own drinking and thus even more uncomfortable when you don't "join the crowd." Educating them will fall on deaf ears because they don't want to hear it and they don't want to know.
So, next time they ensnare you, just say "I don't drink." If they try to bully you, say "Why don't we change the suject?" And if they still persist, tell them you're leaving the room until you receive acknowledgement or an apology.
Good luck and don't let them get to you. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
Rubiks, I think they're simply in denial, like my family was for 37 years...until I almost died. Then it was kind of hard to ignore!
First of all, they may feel defensive about their own drinking and thus even more uncomfortable when you don't "join the crowd." Educating them will fall on deaf ears because they don't want to hear it and they don't want to know.
So, next time they ensnare you, just say "I don't drink." If they try to bully you, say "Why don't we change the suject?" And if they still persist, tell them you're leaving the room until you receive acknowledgement or an apology.
Good luck and don't let them get to you. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
Re: Drinking
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Wed, 2010-09-29 - 16:16
Rubiks, I think they're simply in denial, like my family was for 37 years...until I almost died. Then it was kind of hard to ignore!
First of all, they may feel defensive about their own drinking and thus even more uncomfortable when you don't "join the crowd." Educating them will fall on deaf ears because they don't want to hear it and they don't want to know.
So, next time they ensnare you, just say "I don't drink." If they try to bully you, say "Why don't we change the suject?" And if they still persist, tell them you're leaving the room until you receive acknowledgement or an apology.
Good luck and don't let them get to you. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
Rubiks, I think they're simply in denial, like my family was for 37 years...until I almost died. Then it was kind of hard to ignore!
First of all, they may feel defensive about their own drinking and thus even more uncomfortable when you don't "join the crowd." Educating them will fall on deaf ears because they don't want to hear it and they don't want to know.
So, next time they ensnare you, just say "I don't drink." If they try to bully you, say "Why don't we change the suject?" And if they still persist, tell them you're leaving the room until you receive acknowledgement or an apology.
Good luck and don't let them get to you. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com