Counseling and Seizures helpful or not?

[JRuner]

I found a counselor that feels she can help me cope if my seizures are psychogenic and also help with stress management for my PTSD whether on not I have or develop into epileptic seizures. She spent a good deal of time on the phone making sure I new it could be a long process and identifying my most urgent concerns and said that she will listen to me give me ideas on positive change and even be willing to work with my new doc.

Whether or not your counseling is or was for Epilepsy or Non Epileptic Seizure I would like to know if you felt it was helpful in coping with seizures or even stopped your non epileptic seizures.

Thanks,

John Runer

[epileric]

Even though I've never had to go through a period of acceptance for my seizures because I was born with them, I would think that counselling could be extremely helpful.

My only questions to the counsellor would be "how many of your clients have had seizures?" and "how many of your clients have had PTSD?". That will give you an idea how much experience she's had with your specific issues.

[Loopy Lou]

I've been offered counselling, but i've never taken up the offer. I could probably do with it because i'm still really struggling to adjust to everything, including my diagnosis (about feb 09 i think). I find it difficult to talk to people, but somehow it seems so much easier to talk to people on this site.

[Zoofemme]

I think I stated my positive experience with couseling on anotrher thread John I have said before that I feel my pschologist went above and beyond what was required of him. He felt that my neurologist wasn't doing his job. He would argue with my neurologist about about me. He found me a speech therapist, my neurologist wouldn't even acknowledge my stutter was real. He got me the best disability lawyer in the state. He was the one who set me up an appointment with Duke...my neurologist managed to pull the rug out from under me on that one.

I think the best thing of all was he listened. He validated that my issues were real TO ME. It was my place to go to in order to get my stuff off my chest without having to worry about someone else's feelings, perceptions, ego, drama, thoghts or what ever other crap you have to take into consideration when dealing with others on a day to day basis. That hour of pure selfishness was the best part of my week sometimes.

I think counseling is a good thing. Listen to what the person says to you on your first visit though to make sure they are the right type of counselor for you though. THey all practice different "schools" or techniques (is that right term) and there are some you might not be comfortable with.

[JRuner]

Zoofemme, I did read that post. My problem here in Idaho especially in rural Idaho is first finding a counselor and secondly finding one that excepts Medicare or Medicaid (if Medicaid will even pay for counseling they are paying less and less). I called the five closest Psychologists and Counselors only one was willing to deal with my seizures and she started by talking about Identifying my triggers and the desire to teach me coping skills for my physical and mental stress plus how to continue to advocate for myself with family and stubborn docs.

She picked up on how upsetting this all is to me given as a child my worst Epileptic seizure went on long enough to stop my heart and lungs. She even expressed an understanding that I will have to travel sixty miles to see her on a fixed income and asked if I could afford the travel. I told her I will do whatever it takes to get any bit of relief I can.

John Runer

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

I go to a psychiatrist because he's an M.D. and understands all of the ins and outs of neurology and epilepsy. He's also a friend of my neurologist and they work together, so that's a nice bonus!

[Crystal11]

There is a lot of work and education that goes into becoming a counselor. I have a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling and we had to learn about many disabilities and how to help cope on a more basic level. Counseling related to work and how to deal with work related disability issues.

When I was going to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we were required to have counseling one day a week. It was on Wednesdays- oh and I got out of class to go LOL.
I would sit and talk about my week and if there were any troubles I would mention those. It wasn't hard or complicated or intimidating.
It was more for the coping of blindness and other disabilities for those of us with multiple disabilities.
I can remember I had a long complex partial seizure in class, the health center nurses came and got me for observation and care.

I was resting and all of a sudden there are many of my classmates and even my math teacher and counselor came to see me. You would think I was dying of something LOL ! Anyway- it frightened me some but news spreads fast on a smaller campus.
So after I was back to myself I spoke with everyone and let them know that it wasn't a big deal- more of an inconvenience and nothing too bad. They were relieved and were happy to be with me and hang out.

After all of this I started feeling embarrassed and felt as if my secret was spoken aloud to the whole school for the blind to know. My teachers all knew- my best friends knew, but I had people coming in that I didn't know...
So during a counseling session, I talked about this and we sort of analyzed it some. It made me feel better when she was telling me what exactly was happening and how people helped me and that it wasn't a big deal as I imagined.

Counseling can help in many situations. There are some things you just don't know or don't know how to cope with. A professional counselor goes through serious courses and training and can provide you with great techniques to deal with stress and other issues.

Epilepsy is a hard condition to live with- so many people are afraid or have weird thought about people with E. Society doesn't deal with it well unless you live with someone or know someone who has E- then you truly unerstand.
I actually go to Epilepsy support group each month- to talk to others, mainly new people to the world of Epilepsy.
But for me, its a way to share stories, experiences and tips to living with Epilepsy.
Just talking to those who will listen and especially those with Epilepsy helps a lot. More than I thought it would.

Take care,
Crystal

[RobinN]

Rebecca has seen a therapist every Thursday for the past 3.5 years. It has been part of her healing, and dealing with the situation. I can not image coping with this disorder without a doctor trained in emotional health. I am more thankful for this doctor than any other. She is also one that was positive that Rebecca's disorder was not psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, and confirmed my opinion that the one time diagnosis was wrong.

She was also helpful to me when I found the care and confusion of opinions to be overwhelming.

I highly recommend therapy.

[JRuner]

I am looking forward to going to counseling it has helped me in the past deal with the multiple types of abuse I survived as a child. One big fear I have as an adult is medication especially anti seizure meds. When I was a kid they kept be drugged beyond functioning on phenobarbital to control my Gran Mal's I don't remember a lot until they switched me to dilantin. I have also had a lot of bad side affects from antidepressants, I just never new counseling could help with seizures of any kind so it will be great to see how I respond even if it is just to cope better!

John Runer

[RobinN]

You need to tell them this information. There is a lot of new thinking about use of nutrition for psychological / brain health. Please discuss this with your counselor, as it is so important.

[Zoofemme]

John...the one thing to keep in mind is that while the dr. might recommend an anti-depressant, it doesn't mean you must take it. Like Robin said...it is very importatnt that you tell them about the issues you have had with ADs in the past and you would prefer to look to alternative methods vs more medication.

[Meetz1064]

Epileric. I was born with the "blessing" and so I know no differently. Counseling for me regarding E would be.......pointless in so many different ways. I deal with it quite well, even though I've had a few obstacles thrown in my way as of late. For me, helping others with their E, actually helps ME....

I'm also able, like Rebecca--Robin's daughter--to do a lot to control my seizures through diet. I do still take my meds, but diet also contributes a lot, too, for me. I've grown to accept this, and am thoroughly OK with this. I don't think a counselor would have been needed for me to make this kind of decision, honestly.

[Solicitous]

Yes I believe in counseling for my epilepsy.

I have benefited from being counseled and it gave me a great opportunity to help educate my councilor all about epilepsy. She really listened and was very grateful and was amazed at what she didn't know about E.



Norm Beam

[seizingbeauty]

I have not had the opportunity to have counseling regarding my E. My doctor never offered and help in that department. That's kinda why I came here. CWE has been an amazing amount of help. I don't know if counseling would make a difference at this point.

My thanks again to Bernard, without his love and devotion, many of us would still be a drift, fighting to figure this out on our own!

[JRuner]

Saw my new counselor today she is great and provides case management and access to a psychiatrist who she thinks can help with what she feels might be my combination of epileptic and psychogenic seizures. She also does acupressure for stress issues and migraines! She said she can also advocate with the neurologist if needed.

Score!

John

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

WOW! What a gem. Hold onto her!

[JRuner]

Saw the counselor and Psychiatrist and they shared my info and felt that Klonopin would be a good "safety net" for my Depression and PTSD with the side bonus of possible seizure control until I see my Epileptologist (the Doc works with a different Epileptologist if needed). It was good to know that a Medical Doc thought this was treatable and not just psychogenic but a combination of both. The social worker/counselor also knows how to fight with constant issues in billing medicaid and medicare!

John