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While the kindling model presents an idea of how seizures can develop, behavior therapy offers a lot of options for learning to undo the damage and improve seizure control.
This excellent article on using behavioral strategies gives a very good overview on how behavior modification can be learned and used to manage seizures, especially for those that are not responding to drug therapy. A partial quote is followed by a link to the full article. In includes a neat review of some of the work done by the Andrews\Reiter program.
Link to full article:
http://www.epilepsytoronto.org/vol8-3.html
This excellent article on using behavioral strategies gives a very good overview on how behavior modification can be learned and used to manage seizures, especially for those that are not responding to drug therapy. A partial quote is followed by a link to the full article. In includes a neat review of some of the work done by the Andrews\Reiter program.
The Application of Behavioral and Psychological Methods in Controlling Seizures
Behaviour and Psychological Methods Volume 8 Issue 3
Jean MacKinnon, M.A.
Reprinted from the Journal of Cognitive rehabilitation,
Sept./Oct 96, with permission
Despite the advances of modern medicine in the treatment of epilepsy, there are still a number of patients with epilepsy who are prevented from living a normal life. This may be due to the fact that anticonvulsant medication is not completely effective in controlling seizures (Tempkin & Davis, l984). Approximately 80% of individuals with tonicclonic seizures and only 40% of those with partial complex seizures have complete control with medication (Reiter & Andrews, 1987). There are other problems as well. Many patients may find that the level of medication required to completely control seizures produces side effects that are almost intolerable, such as memory loss, drowsiness, inability to concentrate and difficulty in performing basic cognitive processes (Rousseau, 1985).
In centuries previous to the discovery of medication for treating epilepsy, it was known that various physiological and biological factors seem to "trigger" seizures. In the last century, the author of "Alice in Wonderland," Lewis Carroll, discussed his epilepsy, describing the connection he saw between mental stresses and seizures (Cohen, 1982). In fact, "medical writers since Galen (2nd Century A.D.), have described people who could avert seizures voluntarily" (Charlton, 1994).
More recent studies also indicate that emotional and biological stressors trigger seizures (Rajna & Veres, 1989). Based on this knowledge, studies have been conducted using progressive relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy, biofeedback and counseling to reduce seizure frequency. The Andrews/Reiter Epilepsy Research Program has developed a workbook for patients and professionals to apply these methods in a formalized program (Reiter & Andrews, 1987). Of patients treated in this program, 83% were able to achieve complete seizure control (Andrews and Schonfeld, 1992).
In this paper, there will be a discussion of the Andrews/ Reiter program and how it was implemented by the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's Centre.
Link to full article:
http://www.epilepsytoronto.org/vol8-3.html