Children with epilepsy are more likely also to experience emotional disorders.This page covers the risk factors and types of emotional disorders.
It also outlines various ways you can help your child to manage these disorders to feel included, take part in the same activities as their peers and enjoy a normal social life.
Risk factors for emotional disorders
Some of the most common co-occurring conditions with epilepsy are emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Risk factors that may increase the chances of a child with epilepsy developing an emotional disorder are:
- Reaching adolescence
- Poor seizure control
- Taking more than one anti-seizure medication
- Side effects of anti-seizure medications
- Temporal and frontal lobe epilepsy
- A family history of emotional disorders
- Other medical conditions, especially those associated with epilepsy
- Seizures beginning at a younger age
- Being female
- Social problems
- Effect of seizures and/or ongoing abnormal electrical activity on the brain
- Psychological and psychosocial issues caused by having epilepsy
Psychological and social issues
Children and young people with epilepsy might experience a number of psychological and social issues.
Issues can include:
- Bullying
- Fear of seizures and injury
- Dependence on adults for care
- Coping with anti-seizure medication side effects
- Poor relationships with parents, siblings and peers
- Stigma and social isolation
- Exclusion from activities
Outcomes can include:
- Anxiety
- Withdrawal
- Lack of independence
- Lack of confidence
- Depression
- Behavioural difficulties
- Other psychiatric conditions
- Stopping medication
But, it’s important to stress that there is no clear link between any one issue and any one outcome.
How any of the issues above will affect someone, and which outcomes they produce, will vary greatly from person to person, according to the type and frequency of their seizures, their age, stage of development and level of confidence, and the people that surround them.
For some people, for example, one issue could cause several outcomes. For others, a number of issues could produce one outcome.
How can I help my child with their concerns and anxieties?
Here are some ways you can support your child emotionally
- Set aside a regular time slot to discuss how their day or week has gone.
Involve the whole family and try sharing some small problems your child could help you with.
Even if they don’t share their own concerns at this point, they’ll learn it’s OK to talk about problems.
- Would they find it easier to share their concerns in a way other than talking – perhaps writing it down?
- Identify a few adults in their life they could talk to about their anxieties.
Help them to understand that you’re OK with them not always feeling comfortable talking to you about every problem.
- Try not to approach things in terms of immediately ‘fixing’ their problems or anxieties.
Sometimes, talking about their anxieties can help them find their own solutions.
Ask them what they think could be done to address their problems and if they’d like you to help with that.
Some more ways you can support your child
Help your child to understand their condition.
It’s also a good idea for the whole family and close friends to understand the condition.
Your child will then feel they’re surrounded by people who know about seizures and what to do if they have one.
Educating everyone involved in caring for your child, as well as their peers at school, is vital to raise awareness, reduce stigma and make sure your child is included in all activities.
At Young Epilepsy, we can provide training to school staff and pupils, using a range of resources.
When your child’s ready, encourage them to self-manage some aspects of their condition.
- This will help them to accept their diagnosis and prepare them for their transition to adult services.
Self-management can, for example, include:
- Keeping a seizure diary and record of any side effects from medications
- Asking questions at their appointments
- Setting reminders to take their medications
Being in touch with other young people with epilepsy can encourage your child to be more open about their condition, reduce feelings of isolation and give them positive social experiences.
As we continue to campaign to raise awareness of the links between mental health and epilepsy, we have also launched the Mental Health Wellbeing Space.
The space includes information, support, young people’s stories and advice, covering important areas such as: anxiety, isolation, depression, self-worth and feeling overwhelmed.
Please note: the Mental health and wellbeing space is not aimed at younger/primary school children.
It’s understandable that, as a parent, you might find it extremely difficult to encourage your child to take part in activities and have a normal social life.
Your child may need encouragement to overcome their worries.
But leading as normal a social life as possible can help reduce negative feelings your child might have about ‘being different’.
It can also improve social relationships, reduce their sense of isolation and encourage openness about epilepsy from the first diagnosis.
Some people find seizures are less likely to happen when they are taking part in and enjoying satisfying mental or physical activities.
Specialist help
If your child is significantly affected by emotional issues, they may need professional help.
You can get advice from your child’s school, GP or epilepsy specialist nurse.
Your local children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS) can also provide counselling and specialist psychological support.
You may also see used the older term, children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Remember, children show emotional distress in different ways – some may become withdrawn, while others may become irritable and have temper outbursts.
If your child shows any signs of emotional distress, discuss it with their healthcare team as soon as you can so they can get the right treatments and coping strategies in place to minimise the long-term impact.
Also, don’t forget – the Mental Health Wellbeing Space has lots of useful information, top tips and coping strategies to support young people with epilepsy to look after their emotional and mental health.
Find out about treatment and support of co-occurring conditions with epilepsy.
