Helping my friend whose daughter has been diagnosed with epilepsy disorder?

Hello!

I'm sorry to learn about the diagnosis. However, remember that this isn't necessarily a life-altering event. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 12. At first it was actually a relief to find out that the weird "episodes" I kept having were actually seizures. If doctors could put a name to it, they could fix it! So while I was scared and confused, I just remembered that everything that was going on (MRIs, different meds, neurologist visits, etc.) meant that progress was being made.

Depending on the severity of the disorder, this could just mean she takes a few pills a day and that's that --nothing else to worry about. However, it might take a while for her to get the right meds/treatment, and those might have side effects, at least at first. (For me, the main side effect of my medication was extreme sleepiness.) So don't expect an easy journey, but don't be too afraid! It gets better!

As for how to interact with your friend's daughter -- I guess that depends on the daughter. During any hospital stay/neurologist visit, I'm sure she'd be happy to get a stuffed animal or something for company and to keep her from being too scared, but on the other hand don't make too big of a deal out of it. For instance, don't act like she's "sick" and needs to be constantly taken care of or hovered over -- she's not sick, just has something a little different going on in her brain. I'm sure the more you and her parents treat her the way you did before the diagnosis, the less she'll dwell on this new problem.

I'm sure there are also books about epilepsy specifically geared towards kids to help them understand what's going on. If you just do a google search for them, I'm sure you'll come up with something fun, informative, and age-appropriate for her to read about her disorder.

Two websites about epilepsy are epilepsy.com and epilepsyfoundation.org. You can look there for information and support. I know that epilepsy.com has a forum where you can meet with other people who have epilepsy (or who have friends or family with epilepsy) and ask questions.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

PS: November is Epilepsy Awareness Month!

Well, Sarah has given most of it. Shall add a bit more ......

On discharge, the parents must ensure that -

* The child takes the drugs as advised and doesn't miss a single dose

* Discourage her from activities like cycling or playing on a merry-go-round or such ones that my involve continuous motion

* She must avoid being near fire (diwali is near) and fire-works (can stimulate another epilepsy attack in some)

* She must avoid swimming and playing at heights (house balcony/ terrace etc)

Depending on the nature of drug therapy - some drugs may cause thinning of hair - a temporary effect; weight gain due to some others & stomach upset with some others

But all this is only to alert the parents and not to panic. Take it easy and nurture the child without her getting affected by the restrictions.

Epilepsy is not a dreadful disorder. Yes proper medication is necessary. As she is proceeding towards puberty ,one has to be little careful of falling anywhere and hurting herself. My sister had epilepsy. She is fully (100%) cured after taking Ayurveda medicine for six years. We got the information little late,otherwise may have cured much earlier. She is having two children. Both the children are healthy,no epilepsy. In the beginning allopathic medicine has be taken along with Ayurvedic. slowly it can be stopped with the physician's advice.