Dealing with Epilepsy

[Angiebaby0121]

I'm very new to this site but not epilepsy.

When I was 16 I was diagnosed with epilepsy and in the first 10 years all I wanted to do was kill myself I didn't know how to deal with it even though my sister's and brother also had the condition, I just thought they don't know how I feel my parents seemed to treat it if I'd just caught a cold (I do not blame them they were so used to it, guess they knew I'd be ok).

The only thing that stopped me was I didn't want my parents to find me, so after quite a bit of soul searching and help from one of my brother I faced it and didn't let my epilepsy beat me.

On a positive note I now believe I would not be the person I am today if not for my epilepsy and I don't mean that in a bad way. I feel my epilepsy is part of me now and I know know it was meant to be that I would have epilepsy as my daughter was diagnosed 2 years ago at just 14 (I am in my 40's) I have been able to help her come to terms with what she has and hopefully when she sees me going out to work and living the same as everyone else she will realise too that it is not the end of the world. She knows she can always talk to me should she need to but she is a strong person and is doing a course in childcare I am so proud.

Not sure if this will help anyone

[UnwelcomeVisitor]

Well done for winning through. Yes on a bad day epilepsy can be very debilitating but on a good day life can be really good for the vast majority of us.

It has been scientifically proven by neurologists that epilepsy can often be accompanied by depression and anxiety.

But as you personally know that depression negative thinking simply takes you down but with positive thinking it keeps you on or very close to the surface.

Many thanks for your story and you take care

All the best

Richard