Are you a professional? Visit our professional's page for resources and information.

MindMate professionals
Back to blog

Living with epilepsy

by Charlotte – 2nd Jan 2018

I was diagnosed with a rare epilepsy when I was only 22 months old, where any part of my brain can trigger an epileptic seizure.  Through primary and secondary school a lot of young people didn’t understand what epilepsy was and I remember one girl said to me ‘I remember when you had a seizure in class, I thought you were dancing under the table’. This surprised me so I want this blog to help raise awareness.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain also called a seizure. Epilepsy effects over 600,000 people a year. Epilepsy can start at end any age and most people can grow out of it, however  in some rare cases the epilepsy can grow back.

I am strong enough to win the battle - Epilepsy Warrior

Living with epilepsy and mental health.

Being diagnosed from an early age meant that when I was growing up I isolated myself from others as I felt like I didn’t fit in. Throughout high school I developed anxiety and depression which are risks of having epilepsy. In 2012, I had cranial spinal decompression surgery, which then made my depression and anxiety worse.  Living with epilepsy or with any health conditions isn’t easy and isn’t perfect but in some ways I’m quite glad that it did happen to me because I wouldn’t be able to do the volunteering and campaigning work I do today. Mental health has become a big part of my life and by helping others and raising awareness and ending the taboo and stigma around mental health, I am able to control my own.

Images taken from LivingWellwithEpilepsy.com and @EverythingPurpleforEpilepsy

 


Categories: Blog
Tags: , , ,
Share via:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


More from the blog

The Trans Agenda

So, granny asked me the other day about transgender issues...

Read now

How I cope with Christmas

What helps me when Christmas feels overwhelming and stressful.

Read now