Resources: Epilepsy And Mental Health

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the Cleveland Clinic would like to point to several epilepsy resources they have available within their Epilepsy Center. Of special interest, I’m told, is the Epilepsy Medical Guide, the Pediatric , and their webcast series “Living with Epilepsy.”

Now, some of you may be wondering, “What? Yeah, I get the brain part, but what’s this got to do with mental health?” Well, a lot actually. There’s a ton of research out there dealing with epilepsy and various mental health conditions. Check out these facts and sources for starters:

• “Mental health and behavioral problems are among the many issues that can affect children with epilepsy.” From depression and anxiety to attention-deficit disorder and autism, the Massachusetts General Hospital page on Mental Health and Behavior (in their Growing Up with Epilepsy section) provides information about the causes and types of mental health and behavioral issues associated with epilepsy.
• “Seizure disorders are often associated with a variety of psychological and social difficulties.” In the Mental Health section of their Wellness & Quality of Life Kit, Epilepsy Ontario provides a information about depression, self-esteem, and stress related to epilepsy, medication for epilepsy, and social issues surrounding epilepsy.
• “While epilepsy is no longer considered a psychiatric disorder, its psychiatric dimension is important for treatment and research [...].” Epilepsy Symptoms, a Harvard Health Publications press release for the Harvard Mental Health Letter, addresses the changes in the way we understand epilepsy in regards to it’s relation to mental health.

So you see, if you or someone you know is dealing with epilepsy, you or someone you know could very well be dealing with other mental health situations, too.

Check out the Cleveland Clinic’s information and resources for epilepsy, and while you’re there take some time to peruse all their mental health resources.