Epilepsy and Mental Health

This month on Epilepsy Explained in recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness month we focus on the relationship between epilepsy and mental health. Dr. Andres Kanner, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, answers your questions about epilepsy and mental health.

In “Epilepsy and Mental Health Explained”, Dr. Kanner answers the following questions:
0:00 Intro

0:16 What kind of emotional impact can a diagnosis of epilepsy have on an individual and a family?

1:40 In general terms, what do we know about the relationship between epilepsy and mental health?

3:57 Do the physical impacts of epilepsy cause mental health issues, or are mental health issues the result of stigma and epilepsy’s social impact?

5:54 How can I determine if my mental health issues are being caused by my epilepsy or by the medication that I’m taking for my epilepsy?

8:33 Are certain kinds of epilepsy or specific types of seizures known to cause mental health issues?

10:04 In teens with epilepsy, how can you tell if they are experiencing mental health issues or if it’s simply typical adolescent moodiness and behavior?

12:07 Are there psychiatrists who specialize in treating people with epilepsy?

13:46 Can medications prescribed to treat psychiatric conditions have negative impacts on epilepsy and seizures?

Look for new episodes of Epilepsy Explained on the third Wednesday of every month on CURE Epilepsy’s YouTube Channel and on our website at: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/epilepsy...

If you would like to submit questions for future episodes of Epilepsy Explained, please go to: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/epilepsy...

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CURE Epilepsy is the leading, non-governmental funder of epilepsy research. Since its inception in 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised more than $100 million to fund epilepsy research and other initiatives that will lead the way to cures for the epilepsies. CURE Epilepsy funds grants for young and established investigators and to–date has awarded more than 300 cutting-edge projects in 18 countries around the world. Our mission is to fund breakthrough research that will transform the lives of people living with epilepsy as we lead the search for a cure.

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