So much anger

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Hello. My son is almost 20 years old. He was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 9. He had a left temporal lobectomy/amygdilalohippocampectomy when he was 12. He takes Tegretol XR 400mg twice a day. His seizures are under control since surgery and while taking the medication. His EEG is still abnormal hence still being on Tegretol. The issue is his constant underlying anger. The smallest, most trivial things set him off. He has punched holes in our walls, one time breaking his hand because there happened to be a stud behind the drywall. Right after he blows up he feels regret but his dad and I are really getting fed up. When we give him an ultimatum, stop tearing up our house, clean up after yourself, be respectful or you'll need to leave, it just makes things worse. We have done everything under the sun to help him. Psychologist (specializing in pediatric Epilepsy) counseling, tried an antidepressant, researched adult psychologists which he wants no part of now that he's an adult. He is our life but we just are getting toward the end of our rope. Is this an issue that is relatively common with epilepsy? I don't want to make his diagnosis an excuse but we need help understanding and, perhaps, some ideas on how to help him. We love him so much.

Comments

It is relatively common for

Submitted by birdman on Sun, 2018-06-17 - 21:53

It is relatively common for persons with temporal lobe epilepsy to have anger problems. I have had this all my life and have punched teachers and students in the head, and have done all sorts of violent acts. One way I learned to handle this has been to keep to myself and avoid those persons who are very outspoken and judgmental as much as possible. It's an awful way to live, but it's better to be safe than sorry.As a child doctors dismissed the connection that my anger could be related to my epilepsy. I still wonder if they were so ignorant, or maybe they are cautious to admit it as they don't want patients to have an excuse to continue with their violence and "I can't control myself" attitude. Now you can read plenty about Geschwind's Syndrome. Look it up online. Temporal lobe epilepsy can bring on several extreme symptoms including anger and rage. Your son had his left temporal lobe/amygdala remove. This leaves him with the right temporal lobe / amygdala which is responsible for emotion. And it's just a thought I have and I don't want to scare you, but maybe the removal of the left temporal lobe made it worse since as I understand that is the part that is responsible for rational thinking and balancing the emotions.Then again another possibility is that the increased control he has brings on the increased anger and violence. Forced Normalization is what it is sometimes referred to. I have found that the medications that work the best for me for controlling my seizures bring on greater anxiety and aggression. When I take less medication I am more relaxed. Once in a while I enjoy a deep feeling of contentment with others. I am happy and in a very good mood. But then I know I need to be careful as this is often followed by seizures within a couple days.I am hopeful that the new treatment Responsive Nerve Stimulation or RNS will offer not only relief of my infrequent seizures, but may allow me to be on a lower dose and less aggressive. RNS unfortunately is not approve for children but there is hope that one day maybe an alternative treatment will help bring control of this awful problem we have.

It is relatively common for persons with temporal lobe epilepsy to have anger problems.  I have had this all my life and have punched teachers and students in the head, and have done all sorts of violent acts.  One way I learned to handle this has been to keep to myself and avoid those persons who are very outspoken and judgmental as much as possible.  It's an awful way to live, but it's better to be safe than sorry.As a child doctors dismissed the connection that my anger could be related to my epilepsy.  I still wonder if they were so ignorant, or maybe they are cautious to admit it as they don't want patients to have an excuse to continue with their violence and "I can't control myself" attitude.  Now you can read plenty about Geschwind's Syndrome.  Look it up online.  Temporal lobe epilepsy can bring on several extreme symptoms including anger and rage.  Your son had his left temporal lobe/amygdala remove.  This leaves him with the right temporal lobe / amygdala which is responsible for emotion.  And it's just a thought I have and I don't want to scare you, but maybe the removal of the left temporal lobe made it worse since as I understand that is the part that is responsible for rational thinking and balancing the emotions.Then again another possibility is that the increased control he has brings on the increased anger and violence.  Forced Normalization is what it is sometimes referred to.  I have found that the medications that work the best for me for controlling my seizures bring on greater anxiety and aggression.  When I take less medication I am more relaxed.  Once in a while I enjoy a deep feeling of contentment with others. I am happy and in a very good mood.  But then I know I need to be careful as this is often followed by seizures within a couple days.I am hopeful that the new treatment Responsive Nerve Stimulation or RNS will offer not only relief of my infrequent seizures, but may allow me to be on a lower dose and less aggressive.  RNS unfortunately is not approve for children but there is hope that one day maybe an alternative treatment will help bring control of this awful problem we have.

It is relatively common for persons with temporal lobe epilepsy to have anger problems. I have had this all my life and have punched teachers and students in the head, and have done all sorts of violent acts. One way I learned to handle this has been to keep to myself and avoid those persons who are very outspoken and judgmental as much as possible. It's an awful way to live, but it's better to be safe than sorry.As a child doctors dismissed the connection that my anger could be related to my epilepsy. I still wonder if they were so ignorant, or maybe they are cautious to admit it as they don't want patients to have an excuse to continue with their violence and "I can't control myself" attitude. Now you can read plenty about Geschwind's Syndrome. Look it up online. Temporal lobe epilepsy can bring on several extreme symptoms including anger and rage. Your son had his left temporal lobe/amygdala remove. This leaves him with the right temporal lobe / amygdala which is responsible for emotion. And it's just a thought I have and I don't want to scare you, but maybe the removal of the left temporal lobe made it worse since as I understand that is the part that is responsible for rational thinking and balancing the emotions.Then again another possibility is that the increased control he has brings on the increased anger and violence. Forced Normalization is what it is sometimes referred to. I have found that the medications that work the best for me for controlling my seizures bring on greater anxiety and aggression. When I take less medication I am more relaxed. Once in a while I enjoy a deep feeling of contentment with others. I am happy and in a very good mood. But then I know I need to be careful as this is often followed by seizures within a couple days.I am hopeful that the new treatment Responsive Nerve Stimulation or RNS will offer not only relief of my infrequent seizures, but may allow me to be on a lower dose and less aggressive. RNS unfortunately is not approve for children but there is hope that one day maybe an alternative treatment will help bring control of this awful problem we have.

Has he tried a different

Submitted by 1madonna on Sun, 2018-06-24 - 10:48

Has he tried a different seizure medication? One of the side effects of Tegretol is bipolar disorder.

Lamictal is also used as a

Submitted by Anyone_5b383e6846c78 on Sat, 2018-06-30 - 22:56

Lamictal is also used as a mood stabilizer as well as being used for epileptics