Traumatized from my seizure experience

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For the last year and a half, I have had five seizures. Since then, I have felt like such a mess; my grades got worse, my ADHD got worse, I made a fool out of myself in class because I was always so oblivious, and I even got kicked out of my own gym class for slowing everyone else down and not being able to pay attention. Now it's a struggle to even leave my own house from the anxiety I have from epilepsy even though a seizure doesn't really occur. I can't even get in the car because I'm afraid of having another seizure; as a matter of fact I actually just got cleared to drive and it's so hard to get behind the wheel because of the anxiety I have from seizures. On top of that, I'm having serious side effects with my trileptal. It's like I'm dealing with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) or something. Schools even about to start and god knows what will happen. I just don't know what else to do with myself. I hate having to watch my back for a seizure everyday of my life, despite my anxiety, and the fact that going out is so difficult. What do I do with myself? Is there even a solution to this? I just feel hopeless and fearful all the time.

Comments

Hi Ehsan_33, Thanks so much

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2019-08-19 - 07:55

Hi Ehsan_33, Thanks so much for sharing your story, it sounds like you've been through a lot. It’s important that you express your concerns and increase of feelings of anxiety, any changes in seizure types, frequency, behaviors, side effects and symptoms to your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg2L_HealthCareVisits_09-2018.pdf It’s important to remember that you are not alone. However, we know that being diagnosed with epilepsy can be upsetting and make you feel isolated. If you ever need to speak with someone immediately,please contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources,provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network. Learn more about your community support, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concerns It is also important to recognize that epilepsy is more than just seizures, overall well-being and emotional health is just as important: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health The Wellness Institute: epilepsy.com/wellness ,has many helpful and easy-to-use tips & resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maximizing the quality of life for you & your family. For practical & effective strategies to enhance your well-being, learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/wellness-support-tools It is common for those living with epilepsy to experience feelings of anxiety & to report having difficulties with thinking, memory & attention. Learn more about challenges with Epilepsy here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-advanced/anxiety-disordershttps://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/thinking-and-memory https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-101/epilepsy-and-adhdAdditionally, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce these feelings and manage your epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Learn seizure first aid: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history,medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. Using a diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Have a Seizure alert device: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf For more information regarding Trileptal & seizure medication side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/oxcarbazepine https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find & give support to each other, by contacting your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally you may contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi Ehsan_33, Thanks so much for sharing your story, it sounds like you've been through a lot. It’s important that you express your concerns and increase of feelings of anxiety, any changes in seizure types, frequency, behaviors, side effects and symptoms to your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg2L_HealthCareVisits_09-2018.pdf It’s important to remember that you are not alone. However, we know that being diagnosed with epilepsy can be upsetting and make you feel isolated. If you ever need to speak with someone immediately,please contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources,provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline  One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network. Learn more about your community support, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concerns  It is also important to recognize that epilepsy is more than just seizures, overall well-being and emotional health is just as important:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health   The Wellness Institute:  epilepsy.com/wellness   ,has many helpful and easy-to-use tips & resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maximizing the quality of life for you & your family.  For practical & effective strategies to enhance your well-being, learn more here:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/wellness-support-tools It is common for those living with epilepsy to experience feelings of anxiety & to report having difficulties with thinking, memory & attention. Learn more about challenges with Epilepsy here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-advanced/anxiety-disordershttps://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/thinking-and-memory  https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-101/epilepsy-and-adhdAdditionally, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce these feelings and manage your epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy  Learn seizure first aid: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history,medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. Using a diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Have a Seizure alert device:  https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf For more information regarding Trileptal & seizure medication side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/oxcarbazepine https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior  Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find & give support to each other, by contacting your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally you may contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources,  provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline  

Hi Ehsan_33, Thanks so much for sharing your story, it sounds like you've been through a lot. It’s important that you express your concerns and increase of feelings of anxiety, any changes in seizure types, frequency, behaviors, side effects and symptoms to your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg2L_HealthCareVisits_09-2018.pdf It’s important to remember that you are not alone. However, we know that being diagnosed with epilepsy can be upsetting and make you feel isolated. If you ever need to speak with someone immediately,please contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources,provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network. Learn more about your community support, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concerns It is also important to recognize that epilepsy is more than just seizures, overall well-being and emotional health is just as important: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health The Wellness Institute: epilepsy.com/wellness ,has many helpful and easy-to-use tips & resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maximizing the quality of life for you & your family. For practical & effective strategies to enhance your well-being, learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/wellness-support-tools It is common for those living with epilepsy to experience feelings of anxiety & to report having difficulties with thinking, memory & attention. Learn more about challenges with Epilepsy here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-advanced/anxiety-disordershttps://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/thinking-and-memory https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-101/epilepsy-and-adhdAdditionally, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce these feelings and manage your epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Learn seizure first aid: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history,medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. Using a diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Have a Seizure alert device: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf For more information regarding Trileptal & seizure medication side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/oxcarbazepine https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find & give support to each other, by contacting your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally you may contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline

I understand about the

Submitted by MaddiePiano on Tue, 2019-12-17 - 20:53

I understand about the driving thing, I can't drive and sometimes my mom wants me to "practice"... it terrifies me. Maybe you should go see a counselor or join an Epilepsy support group. There's actually a lot out there if you look online.