Mood Disorders
In this video, Dr. Orrin Devinsky introduces mood and behavior issues that may occur in people living with epilepsy.
Key Takeaways
- Epilepsy can affect mood, behavior, and emotional well-being.
- Mood changes may be related to seizures, medications, sleep, stress, or other health conditions.
- Emotional symptoms can occur before, during, or after seizures.
- Living with epilepsy can bring challenges such as uncertainty, stigma, and changes in independence.
- Support and treatment are available for people experiencing ongoing mood or behavior changes.
- Many people develop effective coping strategies, build strong support networks, and lead fulfilling lives.
Living with epilepsy involves more than managing seizures. It can also affect your mood, emotions, relationships, and overall quality of life. While everyone experiences emotional ups and downs, people with epilepsy often face unique challenges that can affect their mental and emotional well-being.
Understanding how epilepsy and mood are connected can help you recognize changes in how you feel, identify possible causes, and know when to seek support.
You Are Not Alone
Find a Support GroupAdjusting to an Epilepsy Diagnosis
Receiving an epilepsy diagnosis can bring many emotions. You may feel relieved to finally have an explanation for your symptoms, especially if it took a long time to get answers. At the same time, you may feel worried about how epilepsy could affect your future.
Questions about work, school, driving, family responsibilities, medical care, and treatment costs can quickly feel overwhelming. It is normal to feel stressed, frustrated, or uncertain as you adjust to life with epilepsy.
Many people also find strength and determination after diagnosis as they learn more about epilepsy and take an active role in managing their seizures. While epilepsy may be part of your life, it does not define who you are.
How Epilepsy Can Affect Mood
Mood and behavior changes can occur for many reasons. For some people, mood challenges are a separate health condition that occurs alongside epilepsy. For others, mood changes are more directly related to seizures or other aspects of living with epilepsy.
Common factors that may affect mood include:
- Seizures and seizure activity
- Anti-seizure medications
- Sleep problems
- Stress and uncertainty about seizures
- Changes in independence or daily routines
- Other medical or mental health conditions
Mood Changes Around Seizures
Some people notice changes in their mood or behavior before, during, or after a seizure.
Before a Seizure
Hours or even days before a seizure, some people experience:
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Irritability
- Sadness
- Restlessness
Some people may also experience déjà vu or have difficulty recognizing familiar people or places. These experiences vary from person to person and often disappear once the seizure occurs.
During a Seizure
Less commonly, a seizure can cause emotional symptoms such as:
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Anger
- Irritability
These changes are part of the seizure itself and usually improve when seizures are better controlled.
After a Seizure
Mood and behavior changes may occur after a seizure and can last from hours to days.
Common experiences include:
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
For some people, these symptoms can last longer and may require medical attention.
Between Seizures
Mood, thinking, and behavior changes do not only occur around the time of a seizure. Some people experience ongoing symptoms between seizures that can affect daily life, relationships, school, or work. Understanding when symptoms occur can help you and your healthcare team identify possible causes and choose the most appropriate treatment.
Common Emotional Challenges
Living with Uncertainty
One of the most challenging aspects of epilepsy is not knowing when a seizure might occur. This uncertainty can lead to stress, worry, or anxiety.
You may wonder:
- What if I have a seizure in public?
- What if I am alone?
- How will epilepsy affect my job, school, or other plans?
These concerns are common and understandable.
Changes in Independence
Epilepsy can sometimes affect driving, employment, recreation, or living arrangements. When epilepsy changes parts of your daily life, it is normal to feel frustrated, sad, angry, or less confident.
Stigma and Social Isolation
Unfortunately, some people still have misconceptions about epilepsy. Misunderstandings about epilepsy can make people feel embarrassed, judged, or excluded.
As a result, some individuals choose not to tell others about their diagnosis or may withdraw from social activities. Over time, this can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Education for family members, friends, co-workers or schoolmates and open conversations about epilepsy can help reduce stigma and increase understanding.
When to Seek Help
Everyone experiences stress, worry, or sadness at times. However, it may be helpful to talk with your care team if your emotional symptoms:
- Last for several weeks or longer
- Become severe or difficult to manage
- Affect your relationships
- Interfere with work, school, or daily activities
- Make it harder to manage your epilepsy
Keeping track of your moods and noting whether they occur around seizures can provide useful information for your healthcare team.
Getting Support
Mood and behavior changes are common among people with epilepsy, and support is available.
Talk with your care team if you notice ongoing changes in your mood, emotions, or behavior. They can help determine whether your symptoms may be related to seizures, medications, stress, sleep difficulties, or another condition.
Support is available for mood and behavior concerns. Your healthcare team can help identify possible causes and recommend treatment options that meet your needs. The right support can improve emotional well-being, quality of life, and your ability to manage epilepsy.
Contact the Epilepsy & Seizures Helpline if you don't know where to start. Call 1-800-332-1000 (English) or 1-866-748-8008 (en español).
Wellness Tips & Information
Sign Up for EmailsReferences
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/image?imageKey=NEURO%2F59755&topicKey=NEURO%2F2220&search=epilepsy%20medication&rank=1~150&source=see_link
L.J. Mertens, J.-A. Witt, C. Helmstaedter Affective and behavioral dysfunction under antiepileptic drugs in epilepsy: development of a new drug-sensitive screening tool Epilepsy Behav, 83 (2018), pp. 175-180
Nadkarni S, Devinsky O. Psychotropic effects of antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsy Curr. 2005;5(5):176–181. doi: 10.1111/j.1535-7511.2005.00056.x
Resources
Epilepsy Centers
Epilepsy centers provide you with a team of specialists to help you diagnose your epilepsy and explore treatment options.
Epilepsy Medication
Find in-depth information on anti-seizure medications so you know what to ask your doctor.
Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline
Call our Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline and talk with an epilepsy information specialist or submit a question online.
Tools & Resources
Get information, tips, and more to help you manage your epilepsy.
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