Isn’t Treatment for the Seizures Enough?
Seizures are the most obvious part of having epilepsy, but they may not be the only part. If you have had a brain injury such as a head injury, meningitis, stroke, or brain tumor that is causing the seizures, it may be causing mood problems as well. A mood disorder, like depression, is likely decreasing your quality of life. Symptoms that occur with depression such as irritability and sadness may interfere with your social relationships, and trouble sleeping may even make your seizures worse. Depression can sometimes be very severe, leading to thoughts of death or suicide. It is important to share your feelings with your health care provider because there are many effective treatments for mood disorders associated with epilepsy. Some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may help your mood, but their primary purpose is to control the seizures. For the treatment of a mood disorder, you may need an antidepressant.
