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• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Anxiety and depression >> Anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression

• >> Epilepsy >> Anxiety and depression >> Anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression

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• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP33 >> Discusses her feelings of frustration whilst trying different drug treatments.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 2001. Has tried various drug treatments though seizures have not been controlled. Current medication: levetiracetam (Keppra) and clobazam (Frisium).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP01 >> Explains why she came off all anti-epileptic drugs.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1964. Tried various drugs but these did not control seizures. In an attempt to have an acceptable quality of life, decided to stop taking anti-epileptic drugs in 2001 and is on a Chinese/macrobiotic diet. Current medication: diazepam (Valium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP26 >> Advises against blaming everything on the epilepsy and letting depression overwhelm you.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1966. Has poorly controlled epilepsy and has tried various drug treatments over the years. Current medication: Slow-release carbamazepine (Tegretol Retard), gabapentin (Neurontin) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP37 >> Describes how the fear of having seizures made him withdrawn.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1968. Had neurosurgery in 1999 and has been seizure free since then, though still experiences auras. Current medication: sodium valproate (Epilim) and phenytoin (Epanutin).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP33 >> Discusses her feelings of depression, anger and loss of control.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 2001. Has tried various drug treatments though seizures have not been controlled. Current medication: levetiracetam (Keppra) and clobazam (Frisium).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP30 >> Explains her positive outlook despite periods of depression.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1985. Has tried several different drug treatments, and had 4 years free of seizures. Seizures restarted in 1996 and epilepsy is currently not completely controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine (Tegretol) daily and clobazam (Frisium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP10 >> Explains how he feels depressed at different times.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1982. Tried various drugs which did not control seizures. Had neurosurgery in 1984 at the age of 13 and in 1998 at the age of 28. Although there was some improvement in the seizures, epilepsy is poorly controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard), vigabatrin (Sabril) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) daily, and clobazam (Frisium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP01 >> Describes her feelings of depression and failure.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1964. Tried various drugs but these did not control seizures. In an attempt to have an acceptable quality of life, decided to stop taking anti-epileptic drugs in 2001 and is on a Chinese/macrobiotic diet. Current medication: diazepam (Valium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP22 >> Explains that anti-epileptic drugs can also make people feel depressed.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1988. Tried various drugs, and had neurosurgery in 2000. Has been seizure free since surgery, and stopped taking medications (lamotrigine and carbamazepine) a few months after neurosurgery.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP10 >> Explains that a positive attitude has helped.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1982. Tried various drugs which did not control seizures. Had neurosurgery in 1984 at the age of 13 and in 1998 at the age of 28. Although there was some improvement in the seizures, epilepsy is poorly controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard), vigabatrin (Sabril) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) daily, and clobazam (Frisium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP05 >> Discusses her depression and how she keeps herself occupied.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1981. Tried various drugs and, in 1999, had neurosurgery which reduced the frequency and intensity of seizures. Current medication: gabapentin (Neurontin) and carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard) daily, and clobazam (Frisium) around the time of menstruation.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 50-69 >> Interview EP31 >> Recalls her feelings of depression, and how her life changed after having surgery.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1980, shortly after having a stroke. Had severe uncontrolled epilepsy despite trying many different drug treatments. Had a Vagal Nerve Stimulator implanted in 2001, and has experienced a vast improvement both in seizure frequency and recovery time following a seizure. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard).