Well-being is a key part of growing up for anyone. It’s important to make sure you are ok in day to day life and making the most out of any opportunity.
This is where it can be hard for people with epilepsy. The definition of well-being is ‘the state of being healthy, comfortable or happy.’ Many people with epilepsy know that it can be ridiculously hard to upkeep these three things when we’re going through tough times.
Epilepsy can mess with your health and overall wellbeing in many ways, whether it be mentally or physically and both can be hard to heal from. It is known that depression and anxiety is more common in people diagnosed with epilepsy and it is important that, despite that being a scary fact on the outside, we take a closer look and realise that everybody has their reasons and it’s not something we should be afraid of talking about.
Growing up, I have gone through stages of depression, whether that be in school or in more recent adult life, but there are ways to get through it. Of course, I am no expert, but I will express ways that have worked for me and others that I know.
The first stage must be admitting to yourself that there is a problem. There’s always self-encouragement to pretend that things are all ok which is perfectly normal but confronting a personal demon is the first step in dealing with it. Whether it be trying to discuss your feelings with someone close to you like a family member or a close friend or confiding in yourself by keeping a diary, I really push that it’s ok to be truthful to yourself.
Another part of this self-honesty comes in knowing that depression or anxiety isn’t something that always goes away easily, but it’s still possible to be happy. For some people epilepsy and seizures can prey on us from once a year to multiple times a day and this can put a downer on things. However, there is always hope and ways to be happy. It can be simple things like taking a time out with your favourite music, to having a shower to help yourself relax.
If you’re like me you might need a little bit of time talking to other people about something random to take your mind off things, whether it’s through instant messaging or with somebody that you live with. No matter your personality or the kind of person you are, try experimenting with what makes you happy and could have the potential to improve your wellbeing. It’s all about being comfortable in your own skin and most importantly happy.
I, like many others, see my epilepsy itself as my demon, causing these depressive episodes whenever it pleases, and it helps me to use visuals to make you feel more powerful and confident in your own skin.
Call it corny or silly, but these things are always personal and maybe they could help you too.
I just want to wrap up by letting you know that you’re not alone and everybody goes through tough times. Epilepsy is a tricky condition to live with as you may never know what’s around the corner and just what the next seizure is going to be like, but wellbeing is key to living with epilepsy and still keeping positive. I wish anyone reading happiness for the future and just know that you can get through this!
