Does your child with Epilepsy also have behavioural issues?

I'll try to respond to this again. Last time a power outage here at work wiped out what I had already typed. I have a 4 year old with epilepsy that was diagnosed at 3. His behavior changed when he started taking trileptol. He is irritable, aggressive, mean and hyper. The doctor prescribed clonodine for him twice a day, and it seems to have taken some of the edge off. As far as discipline, we continue our regular discipline that we have used with our other son. Regardless of their age or special needs, they need to realize that there are still rules that they need to follow. Of course this is just my opinion on this matter, and I know everyone parents in a different way. Best wishes for you and your daughter.

Hello- My 10 yr old. son definately has behavior issues. He was diagnosed with absence szs in 2nd grade. They have since progressed (not to grand mal yet....) unfortunately, so has his behavior. He is aggressive, angry, and depressed. He is now starting to get physical with his brother and sisters. He just started therapy with a neuro-psychologist and I am praying day and night that we can all get some relief. His neuro does not think that it is epilepsy related but probably med related ( he takes keppra, zarontin, and topomax) We are getting ready to wean him off of the keppra. I can really relate to your life.....it is so hard on all of us and I, for one, am so exhausted. I am constantly walking on eggshells so that no one sets him off. I pray everyday that the school does not call (he has had a few issues at school as well) and I cringe everytime the phone rings. It is a horrible way to live and for the life of me I cannot understand how in this day and age no one can help him. We live in the Baltimore area and he sees several doctors at The Johns Hopkins Epilepsy Center. I am so frustrated I don't know what to do some days! I will keep you in my prayers and hope one day that this horrible disease can be cured. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be in these kid's skin. Good Luck and please feel free to email me anytime you need support! We all need to help each other!

Brandi516, I have been an Epileptic for over 20 years now and seizure free for almost 10 years. I had behavioral issues when I was first diagnosed with Epilepsy, due to the fact they were trying to get the dosage and medication right. I was on Tegretol and that changed my behavior completely. I would be hateful, disrespectful, and rude one moment and the next in tears crying, because I was sorry. My parents whipped me more than my other sisters and I began to feel that they didn't love me as much as the others, because I was different. When they just really didn't know what else to do with me. I am not saying not to discipline her, but keep in mind what she is going through. She is a victim also. I would suggest counseling or some way she can express herself and her feelings without acting them out. Buy her a journal and maybe discuss the things that she has wrote about. I know this is a hard journey for you and I am far from an expert in the matter. All I know is that this is a real confussing time in your daughters life and she is going to need a lot of extra support from parents. I wish you the best.