Welcome to Our Neurology Module
Lindsey Reynolds
Jalesa Hood
Impact on Child and Family
One of the scariest parts of epilepsy for both a child and a family is unpredictability. Cargivers can try and do everything to prepare the child and those around them on what to do when a seizure occurs, but you will never really know when or where. Below are some but certainly not all the ways that having a child with epilepsy affects the patient and their family.
Hard time at home or school because they are afraid of having a seizure
Cognitive or learning problems that require special help or accommodations
Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other changes in mood or behavior
Conflict of whether or not to disclose the diagnosis based on the stigma that epilepsy has
Worrying about the patient when they're out of the caregiver's sight
Parents may feel the need to overprotect their children after diagnosis which leaves the child feeling overdependent on their parents
In some states, those with epilepsy aren't allowed to drive, which can be devestating for an adolescent with epilepsy
Children and families both have to face a general fear of dying and loss of control
(Epilepsy)