Mood swings
Epilepsy may alter your moods, emotional state - even your memory. YOU KNOW that seizures can change your mood, and antiepileptic drugs can change the chemistry in your brain.
EVERYONE HAS BAD DAYS, but sometimes dealing with the day-to-day brings on feelings of shock, fear, denial, anger, anxiety or depression. Don't ignore or deny these feelings. They're a real part of your condition - and U CAN find ways to deal with them effectively.
Feeling sad, angry or frustrated? The best thing for that? Talk with people who care about you - friends and family - or people who can give you support - the school counsellor, seizure-clinic nurse or your doctor.
Come on, share!
Keeping everything inside is hard on you - sharing problems make them more bearable. Talk with people who care. Together, you can find solutions to what's bothering you.
ARE YOU SAD or something more?
A lot of "yes" answers? Talk to your doctor.
- Do you have feelings of helplessness and hopelessness?
- Are you unable to experience happiness?
- Do you have sleeping problems (oversleeping or not being able to sleep)?
- Do you have a low sexual drive?
- Is your appetite lousy (overeating or loss of appetite)?
- Do you have a lack of energy?
- Are you feeling unmotivated?
- Do you have suicidal thoughts?
What causes mood swings?
- Changes in brain chemistry
- Hormones
- Genetics
- Medications
- Stress
- Significant life events
- Difficulty adjusting to epilepsy
- Dealing with imposed limitations and restrictions
- Unpredictable nature of seizures
- Feelings of helplessness/loss of control
You and your look
Let's face it! Your looks are real important to you. So you should know - some antiepileptic drugs can change how you look.
Check out this list of side effects for antiepileptic medications. If this is you - and you're NOT happy about it - talk to your doctor. But DON'T STOP taking your medication! Your doctor may be able to give you a different medication to control your seizures - without the haggy side effects.
- Weight gain: Not eating won't do the trick - monitor your weight and get some exercise!
- Temporary hair loss or thinning or excessive hair growth
- Thickened gums: Good dental hygiene and regular check-ups can put this off.
- Menstrual irregularities
- Slight tremors
Stress out?
You may be tempted to skip meals or sleep less in order to have more time for your studies or for your part time job, but this can be harmful to you by increasing your stress level which can cause hyperventilating, sleep disruptions, or can alter brain activities.
U KNOW... You're stressed when
- You feel an adrenaline rush
- Breathing speeds up
- Heart pounds faster
- Body feels tired and strained
- You have trouble concentrating
Relax!
- Listen to music
- Read a book
- Yoga
- Sleep
- Sports/regular exercise
- Aromatherapy