The challenges of parenting are compounded if your child has epilepsy. Not only do you have the normal concerns about raising a child; now you have to make allowances for epilepsy.
This article details common concerns facing a parent who has a child with epilepsy, and how to handle them.
It’s natural for a child who has a chronic illness or who is different from other children to feel resentful. Children with an illness such as epilepsy might develop emotional problems, such as poor self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. These problems might come from within (anger, embarrassment, frustration), or from outside. (Children with epilepsy might be teased by other children.) Anxiety and depression are seen frequently in children with epilepsy sometimes even before the child has the first seizure.
As a parent, you can help your child deal with these feelings in the following ways:
As for your other children and the rest of your family:
If your child is taking medicine, you can work with your child’s doctor to make sure your child is taking the medicine correctly. Some things to be attentive to include the following:
Every child with seizures is different. Recommendations for activities need to take into account the seizure severity and cognitive (intellectual) abilities of the child:
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