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I have epilepsy and I think also ADHD, but I am scared

Wed, 11/28/2018 - 23:02
I am 28 years old, male and I have epilepsy. I am new with this situation, and I only have one seizure which happened seven months ago. I am taking two pills every day to control and prevent any future attack. But after this seizure, I have noticed that my problem with concentration got worse. Since I was a kid, I have concentration problems, and It has been a nightmare for me. I could not study or do homework unless the last minute even when I wanna to do it before. I just could not do it. I love reading, and I spend months trying to finish a book. It is so stressful not to be able to do what I like. Watching a movie is almost impossible. I spend sometime days watching it. I hate going to a movie theater because I cannot pay attention to the film. Also, my social skill is terrible because of this. When a friend talks to me, I struggle to keep my attention to what he is saying to me. I am tired. During my life, I have learned strategies of how to solve my problems. For school, I discovered that I am good at solving problems, so I tried to use this in my favor. But with classes that required me to studying, I got not so good grades. I always studied 20 or 30 minutes before a test, the same for homework and for a reason that I am not sure I got in many cases good grades. I believe that I am smart (I am not trying to be arrogant) and this is the main reason why I did well in school. For my organization problems, I learned that I could put everything in a container, papers, keys, etc., so when I need them, I could go there and find them. For my love for reading I try to find places where I cannot hear any noise, but sadly this does not help me much. Now that I had a seizure everything is out of control. My anxiety is getting worse. I tried to ask for help with my anxiety in the past before my seizure, and I did not find support. I told my doctor at that moment about it, and he said to me that it was normal to have my problem. That everybody has the same problem. He was not sure if I need psychologies or psychiatrists and I left his office without an answer. I felt that moment that I did not have anything, but in my mind, I knew that I had something. I am tired of fighting with this. I cannot do anymore. I have many dreams and projects that I cannot do them. I just start them, and I am not able to continue them. I believe that I suffer from ADHD, but I am scared. I am scared not to discover that I have it but of looking for help and not find it. I am not good explaining my symptoms (as you can see with this post) and I think if I go to a doctor I could not express what I have suffered my whole life. It is not easy to ask for help when I spent my entire life helping me by myself. I am asking you all to help of what I should do. How can I approach my doctor and let him know of what I suffered and I am suffering still in my life? I know I have potential, I know I can do more. I just want to be complete.

Comments

Hey there, there's no need to

Submitted by Believer_59cd4d81a99cf on Fri, 2018-11-30 - 00:40
Hey there, there's no need to be scared because you're DEFINITELY not alone. The fact that you feel you can't concentrate is probably, (though I'm no a doctor) from the medication you're taking to prevent seizures. My meds actually made it so hard to concentrate that for a while my neurologist prescribed ADHD medication as well, just so that I could important get stuff done. (The anxiety can be from fear of seizures, which is pretty standard, or it may be a side effect as well).  My advice is to go back to the doctor who prescribed these meds and do your best to describe your symptoms. If you're worried about not being clear, make a list before you go of what you want to say. Best of luck, and I hope you feel back to yourself soon,B

As our friend "B" said, you

Submitted by Jazz101 on Fri, 2018-11-30 - 19:34
As our friend "B" said, you aren't alone in this my friend. When something is new, especially when you can see it having a significant effect on you, the first step is to talk about it. Here at the Epilepsy Foundation you have quite a few individuals who have, and continue to, try to balance things to the best of their ability because like you, they also have Epilepsy. (Myself included) When you mentioned the challenge with studying, well, let's just say I have been there. Put it this way -- I didn't leave college with a 3.5 plus GPA. I did it in Math because Math doesn't require much memory. The other subjects that required a lot of memory? Well, let's just say I exercised them to the best of my ability. :)At one point I simply took the "pass" option when I realized I had forgotten the exam completely. That option only apply to what they term "Core" subjects in college. And I was lucky that was the test I forgot. What I can tell you about life is that grades, while admirable, aren't the only thing that tells of your smarts/capabilities. And that's because they are more short term. (For the record, not telling anyone to aim for bad grades). :)I guess the point I am trying to make is simply this. Balance how you compare your capabilities to grades. Don't sell yourself short when you have legitimate reasons to argue things like short term memory. It's not something you decided to have as a habit. It's just something that is circumstantial.Science has advanced significantly. Look at the scientific side of your circumstances. That helps you not only in better assessing things, but also in making decisions that are more helpful to you. I majored in Journalism but spent little time in that field after college because journalism was changing, and my speech/reading was slightly being touched because of Epilepsy. As a result, I reassessed myself and went into finances given math is my subject. The average person you see in some fields today is in a field that is not their major. Two reporters on Bloomberg TV are great examples. They majored in History but got into journalism. Someone I had met in the financial area majored in communication. You said you discovered you were good in solving problems. Focus more in that area. Take what you are facing right now as a challenge you are willing to take on.My advice to you, given Epilepsy is the challenge? Start by finding a hospital with good ratings in neurology and neurosurgery. My source to that was US News and World Report. The site is:https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/neurology-and-neurosurgeryAlso, have more conversations with individuals in the chat room on this site. You may see many comments that will make you realized you aren't alone in this. In terms of being "complete." Well, it comes down to how you define complete. I have Epilepsy but I will not allow it to define all of me, and neither should you. Will it frustrate you at times? Absolutely!!!!But neurology has advance significantly. The trick with Epilepsy is about balancing things. And it will be a challenge, especially when it's new to you, or you are surrounded by individuals who aren't quire familiar with the condition. That said, quite a few of us are trying to maintain that balance given we have had the condition for a while. For you it's new so your current feelings are totally understandable. Can't blame you there my friend because I, and many of us, have been there. I can be overwhelming; no doubt.But you sound like someone who is willing to trying to figure out how best to deal with your scenario. And for what we are glad you spoke. Keep talking my friend. Keep asking.Best Regards

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