How to Handle Depression Due to Seizures

For people who have a seizure disorder, also known as epilepsy, depression can be a significant problem to contend with. Some people with epilepsy experience depression as a separate condition, while for others, depression is related to the disorder or the treatment. It's important to understand the causes of the depression in order to know how to treat it.

Things You'll Need

• Antidepressants or other medication
• Support group

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Instructions

Understanding Seizure-Related Depression

• 1

  Understand your seizures. Seizures are caused by a brief, but significant electrical surge in the brain. They cause a variety of symptoms including convulsions and loss of awareness. If a person has more than one seizure not attributable to a specific condition, he or she is diagnosed with epilepsy.

  A large number of people with epilepsy also experience depression; the Epilepsy Foundation states the percentage is 29%. Of that group, only half are being treated for their depression.

• 2

  Try not to be frustrated. It is difficult, if not impossible, to pinpoint the cause of the depression. If the seizure originates from a part of the brain that governs emotion, the depression might be caused directly by the seizure. The medications used to control the epilepsy might also contribute to the depression.

  The depression, however, might predate the epilepsy, according to Dr. Andres Kanner, a specialist on epilepsy at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Kanner presented research conducted by scientists in Sweden and the United States at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  "People with a history of depression have a 3 to 7 times higher risk of developing epilepsy," Dr. Kanner said.

• 3

  Consider your surroundings. It appears the depression might also be related to socio-economic factors. The Epilepsy Foundation lists several factors associated with a higher risk of depression: poor adjustment to seizures, increase in stressful life events, financial stress and being a woman. The foundation also said people who feel like their life is controlled by the disorder are more likely to experience depression.

• 4

  Seek treatment. Treating depression is just as important as treating the seizures. Fortunately, there are several options available. It might be necessary to change the seizure medication, or to add medication to deal specifically with the depression.

  Dr. Kanner said patients with epilepsy "usually respond well to anti-depression medication and with lower doses." He said the notion that epileptics cannot take antidepressants is false, and said medications classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac, have proved safe in patients with epilepsy.

• 5

  Find a support group and participate in it. For many people, networking with others who have the same condition can be very helpful. Reducing the sense of isolation people with epilepsy sometimes feel can help eliminate depression.

  Other ways to handle depression include exercise, journaling, and doing as much as you can to take control of the disorder. As with any depression, it often helps to see a counselor or therapist; she will be able to give you insight into how to cope with your particular challenges.