Epilepsy is a central nervous system disease that manifests itself in seizures resulting from temporary neuronal dysfunction, the balance between exciting and inhibitory neurons changes and many nerve cells are discharged too much at the same time. In this article, we’ll talk specifically about psychology. support in epilepsy.
There are different types of seizures, because the brain may be fully or only involved in certain parts. The seizure can originate in one part of the brain and then spread to the rest.
- Epilepsy is not known as a single seizure in particular circumstances (e.
- G.
- Poisoning.
- Lack of oxygen.
- Febrile seizures).
- Epilepsy is only mentioned when seizures recur.
More than half of epilepsy occurs in childhood and more than two-thirds of epileptics have their first seizure before age 20.
Epilepsy is usually the result of an innate predisposition or acquired brain damage, brain damage occurs most often during the prenatal period, during childbirth or early childhood, can also be caused by infections, wounds, brain tumors, bleeding, poisoning, poor vascularity, etc. .
It should be noted that most epileptics do not have progressive brain disease, but more or less controlled repeated seizures with medications.
Clinical expression of seizures depends on the type of epilepsy and may vary to manifest in the following ways:
Other forms of seizure expression include stereotypical movements, patting, flickering, salivation, vomiting, shortness of breath, loss of urine or stool, etc. In some people with epilepsy, the crisis is announced by warning signs (aura).
In general, seizures don’t last long and usually end on their own, except in cases of epilepsy. Some physiological functions are also out of control during crises.
Most epilepsy is sensitive to drug treatment. Often, only one medicine (monotherapy) is sufficient for treatment, although in some cases two or more (polytherapy) are needed.
In general, the use of antiepileptics is recommended for several years, in cases of drug resistance, that is, when severe or frequent seizures persist, surgery may be an option.
Diagnosis forces the patient and his family to face a new situation, people who discover epilepsy and receive support often face their seizures and emotions better and are better prepared to defend their own interests.
Learning about epilepsy is an important first step. Joining an association, talking to a specialist, or being part of a support group are great ways to learn and understand each other.
Some people turn to a health care professional or psychologist for psychological support, in this sense it is important to build a support network around the epileptic person: people who can offer basic support.
Other problems are less visible, but just as important: acceptance of the disease, informed and unfounded anxiety management, family difficulties, future plans, etc.
It is recommended to involve the patient in the management of their epilepsy, take control, manage their attitudes, observe the circumstances surrounding a crisis, eliminate these circumstances or modify them by preventive measures and finally, if possible, seek and apply an intervention method that helps control seizures.
To provide adequate psychological care and support to children with epilepsy, it is important to understand the neurological and emotional factors that cause their symptoms, we are talking about a very difficult job, because there is always a close interaction of these factors.
This is an ongoing topic that arises in informal discussions among stakeholders and in synthesis meetings during the follow-up of children.
Does the neuropediatra, in collaboration with the neuropsychologist, develop a neuropsychological assessment of each child’s abilities and difficulties, compare the picture of cognitive disorders – usually described in the type of epilepsy presented by the child – cognitive impairment actually observed.
This gives a first idea of the disorders that can result from a neurological disease.
Psychological interviews with children and adolescents are used to convey experiences of epilepsy and its consequences, often lived as humiliating and sad, is about seeing the reality of things, future prospects and personal goals according to individual abilities.
Each caregiver and professional should teach the child to evaluate his options and the risks that precipitate the onset of the crisis. Parents of children with epilepsy are generally familiar with adjustments and can tell them and their caregivers how to act when the patient has had an epileptic seizure.
Many people with epilepsy notice that their emotions and feelings affect the frequency of their seizures; Therefore, learning how to better manage emotions can reduce the number of attacks.
Attitudes can be changed; for example, not to consider yourself an “epileptic” or focus on the things you can do instead of the things you can’t do.
Crisis prevention can be facilitated by managing stress using relaxation techniques, such as yoga or journaling.
Other important measures can help prevent seizures: getting enough sleep, regular physical activity to prevent hyperventilation, consuming regular balanced and nutritious meals, avoiding caffeine, sweeteners, alcohol, drugs, and taking medications at the right time.
From one moment to the next, the person in crisis becomes strange, inaccessible and incomprehensible, it is common for this phenomenon to be combined with the observer’s sense of helplessness, and it is also one of the reasons why being well informed is one of the necessary conditions. to reduce anxiety and provide adequate physical and psychological support for an epileptic seizure.
During a generalized tonic-clonic attack
At the end of crises:
It is essential that, except in particularly mild cases, the epileptic patient is the subject of an individualized reception project in the school and / or in another environment that he attends daily.