Epilepsy
How epliepsy affects your family
The reactions of family members to a diagnosis of epilepsy vary enormously. Many of those interviewed noted that, after the initial worry and concern, family members were usually supportive (see 'Sources of support for people with epilepsy').
Some people explained that family members found it difficult to talk about their epilepsy, even if they were generally helpful. One man reported that, while his family gave him support, they did not tell their friends about his epilepsy because he himself wanted to keep it quiet. He also discussed the support he had from his wife.
'Why me?' and 'why this family?' were questions that some people said they and their families initially asked. Others explained that, after early feelings of anxiety, family members were helpful and understanding. People often felt that, although their epilepsy was a subject that was not discussed very much, family members were concerned and eager to help.
One woman, newly diagnosed with epilepsy, explained how stressed and concerned both her family and her husband were. Another woman discussed her concerns about being a burden on her husband.
Discusses her concerns about being a burden on her husband.
Discusses her concerns about being a burden on her husband.
Yes, of course that has helped me, but then again one also feels the burden of talking to one's partner. Of unloading on one's partner when its quite hard, I think, for one's partner to be constantly giving out to me because he needs a life of his own as well. So it's quite hard when I think that it's easy if both of you to become depressed and you both need outside help.
Is your husband often here to help you then or, you mentioned last time that he'd changed his job and he's maybe around a lot more, or did I get that wrong?
No you haven't got that wrong, after thirty-seven years of working in the same job he's left. I don't think that has meant that he's been here more though. And I don't want him to have to feel that he needs to look after me, I think that's a horrible thing for another person to have to feel, even though he might like to feel he doesn't want to leave me alone I think he's got to. I've got to be alone; I've got to live my own life. And I want to live my own life.
Some people, who were diagnosed with epilepsy as children, recalled that their parents were often very protective towards them. Others reported that their parents did not treat them with extra concern. One woman discussed her parents' interests in her well-being and independence.
Recalls that her parents tended to be very protective of her.
Recalls that her parents tended to be very protective of her.
Explains her parents' concerns about her independence and well-being.
Explains her parents' concerns about her independence and well-being.
I think sort of lack of independence it's perhaps brought me. The, just the sort of discomfort it can bring, a seizure brings you. Or the fact that you have one on a train going into Paddington and people walk over you, you know it takes a nice person to stop, and that's wrong in this sort of world. And I think you know you can put yourself in a situation where you are totally at the you know mercy of other people, and that must be a worry. And just how it, you know affects my day-to-day life, what impact that has on it.
Some of those interviewed explained that their diagnosis affected different family members in different ways. One man noted how upset his grandmother was. He also recalled how his parents did not openly discuss his epilepsy but were supportive.
Discusses the reactions of his grandmother and how his parents were supportive but quiet about...
Discusses the reactions of his grandmother and how his parents were supportive but quiet about...
One woman, whose husband had epilepsy, discussed her feelings of protectiveness towards him and her children. She also explained some of her own concerns as a carer of someone with poorly-controlled epilepsy.
Discusses some of her concerns as a carer.
Discusses some of her concerns as a carer.
And how many children have you got?
I've got two sons.
And have they been you know over the years have they learnt a lot more about epilepsy?
Again I kept a lot from them. It was only, I think last year my eldest son who is now 26, he actually saw [my husband] having a seizure sitting in that chair down there. And he, I could see it happening, so I asked my daughter-in-law to take the grandchildren out and [my son] was sat there and at the end he said 'Mum, I didn't realise it was as bad. How, how on earth have you coped?' You do, you don't go round telling people what you're going through, you do keep a lot, a lot to yourself. And people say to me 'You should tell your children,' but why should you, they've got their lives to lead, they don't really want to know.
Could you talk about your own feelings with your friend?
Yes, yes she, like you know she was about the only one I could talk to because nobody else would understand, because if somebody's not seen somebody having a seizure they would think well what are you on about. And living with it even is totally different to someone seeing a seizure, living with the personality change is very hard, I'd say none of its easy. But you have to be strong for them you know.
Like all through, because [my husband] has always had a lot of illness, I've always had to be strong. There's no way I can go down, because he sticks under me if you know what I mean. He totally depends, and he has said this himself, he totally depends on me as his memory, as everything really, because the memory side of things has totally gone, over the years it has done so much damage.
Last reviewed May 2016.
Last updated March 2014.
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