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Anxiety after boyfriend’s seizure
Mon, 04/20/2020 - 05:42Topic: Family & Friends
Hi everyone. My boyfriend is 24 and he had his third seizure about two months ago while sleeping next to me. It scared me so much, I was in shock until a week afterwards. And now whenever he does anything that even reminds me the slightest bit of his seizure, I break down and cry. I can’t cope with the thought of him having another seizure. He’s been put on epilim and at first I hoped it would help me deal with the situation better but I still can’t sleep, I wake up every time he moves in his sleep, scared that he’ll start convulsing. My heart beats faster and faster and I can’t calm down for at least 20 mins. I feel guilty for reacting like this, too, because it’s not his fault that he’s epileptic but he’s the one who has to calm me down when I start crying. And I know this fear is irrational because these seizures don’t hurt him (nocturnal seizures) but it’s simply terrifying to witness. I’ve spoken to my counsellor about it but my fear doesn’t go away. I don’t know how to cope with this. Does anyone have some advice? Does it get better?
Hi,Thank you for posting.
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2020-04-20 - 09:45
Hi,Thank you for posting. Feeling helpless and scared watching a loved one have a seizure is difficult, but it is important that you are prepared to respond to seizures safely and appropriately. Review our section on seizure first aid, how to identify potential risks, and seizure safety at night, here:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe/safety-while-sleeping . It's also important that you all are continuing to follow-up with his healthcare team to discuss any concerns you all have regarding his seizure frequency, or he experiences any changes in in side effects, symptoms, moods, behaviors, to help determine what individual treatment plan may be best for him. There are also many different devices that can help detect seizures and notify someone to help respond. Review our seizure alert device factsheet with your boyfriend and his doctors, who can decide if an alert device is an option for him: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf . You all may want to consider keeping a journal or a diary to help keep track of his seizures, and more by using a diary or a journal. My Seizure Diary, can be used to organize his health issues, manage medications, develop seizure response plans and more, which can be shared with members of his healthcare team: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . It is common for those who are in caregiver role to feel overwhelmed, but it’s important remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help support you. It’s also important that you’re and making your health and overall well-being a priority and continuing to address you're feelings of anxiety with your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/Caregivers%20factsheet.pdf . There are many different types of counseling that can be very helpful, we are glad to hear that you are seeing a counselor to receive additional support. In addition, you may want to ask his doctors to refer you all to other members of the healthcare team, such as neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers, who specialize in helping people with epilepsy and their families to improve their lives. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behaviorAdditionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline , or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates