Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological pathologies. This is a chronic disease characterized by periodic convulsive seizures. Moreover, seizures can be not only generalized, seizures are sometimes almost not visible externally, they are manifested only by a slight twitching of the muscles or a short-term loss of consciousness. It is believed that this disease appears due to impaired conduction of impulses in the brain. But the causes of many cases of the disease can only be explained by psychosomatics. Epilepsy is one of those pathologies that often begins after severe stress or psychological experiences.
General characteristics of pathology
Epilepsy, according to many, is a terrible and dangerous disease. And this is actually so. Pathology causes the appearance of convulsive seizures, which lead to a loss of consciousness of the patient and can result in death. The attack itself is a convulsive contraction of individual groups or muscles of the whole body. The patient does not feel pain and usually then does not remember what happened to him. From the side, a generalized attack looks pretty scary. After all, the patient can bend, foam may come out of his mouth. Epilepsy is a fairly common disease. Nearly 40 million people worldwide suffer from it. Moreover, more than half of patients are children and adolescents.
Symptoms of Epilepsy
The disease itself can occur in various forms. The mild course of epilepsy can be imperceptible from the side. The attack is a short-term shutdown of the patient’s consciousness, he just freezes for a few seconds, loses touch with reality. This may be accompanied by slight twitching of the eyelids, facial muscles. Such an attack often goes unnoticed not only for others, but also for the patient himself.
A more serious form of the disease is seizures. Many associate pathology with them. An attack is a convulsive contraction of almost all muscles, often the patient’s body bends in an arc. It is especially dangerous when such attacks pass one after another. There is a risk of respiratory arrest due to spasm. Epileptic seizures usually occur unexpectedly. It is difficult to understand what could provoke them.
Sometimes epilepsy is reflected in the mental abilities of the patient and his psychological state. This can be expressed in the occurrence of hallucinations, delirium, neurosis. Sometimes they take the form of an affective disorder. Often patients become more aggressive, irritable, they may also develop dementia.
How is the attack
According to the theory of psychosomatics, epilepsy is an internal conflict, a person’s protest against violence. But this can be considered for the prevention of attacks. If the seizure has already happened, the patient himself can not do anything, since he loses touch with the outside world, his consciousness turns off, and then he does not remember what happened to him. Therefore, it is very important that those who are near the patient during an attack understand what needs to be done. There are several tips that will help the patient more easily survive the consequences of an attack:
- you can not forcibly restrain the convulsive movements of the patient, try to unclench his teeth;
- no need to do artificial respiration or heart massage;
- do not move or raise the patient until the attack is over;
- try to put something soft under his head;
- it is advisable to turn his head to one side;
- it is necessary to ensure peace and safety for the patient, often after an attack for 10-30 minutes he cannot get up.
Causes of Epilepsy
Psychosomatics often explains in more detail why this disease develops. According to doctors, an epileptic seizure occurs due to the fact that some part of the brain undergoes excitement. This can happen when all the neurons in this area are synchronously excited. This condition can cause various reasons:
- stroke, prolonged cerebrovascular accident;
- head injury;
- meningitis or encephalitis;
- brain tumors, cysts, or edema;
- chronic infection
- diphtheria, mumps, typhus;
- acute metabolic disturbance;
- alcoholism;
- birth injuries.
Why does the disease occur?
Psychosomatics explains epilepsy for psychological reasons. Experts in this area of psychology believe that the essence of epilepsy is that the patient has a strong internal conflict. He literally tears apart man by contradictions. At the physical level, this is manifested in epilepsy attacks. Psychosomatics explains that they can be provoked by violence, intense psychological stress, fear or conflict with the outside world. This condition develops for a long time, during which the patient must constantly suppress his desires, experience discomfort in communicating with people.
Especially often for these reasons, a child develops epilepsy. Psychosomatics in this case explains that the disease appears in those children who often experience despair and anger, who are suppressed at home, are forced to do something against their desires, which are limited, try to break down and crush their personality in them.
Psychosomatics of epilepsy in adults
What to change in their behavior, a patient can advise a psychologist. Especially often, such disorders are observed if epilepsy develops after 25 years. It is at this age that certain mental reactions accumulate and a patient behavior style is developed. Often the disease develops due to various phobias, fears that arose in childhood. This leads to constant mental stress, due to which the electrical activity of the brain gradually changes. People with epilepsy fall ill with severe psychological trauma in childhood, who need loneliness or do not have sufficient social adaptation.
How to treat a disease
Now epilepsy is being treated medically by a neurologist. In most cases, with the help of correctly selected drugs, you can get rid of seizures and keep the disease under control. Modern medicines help to fully recover in 70% of cases. Appointed by a neurologist after the examination. All drugs are aimed at preventing new attacks and alleviating the patient's condition.
Anticonvulsants are usually prescribed. They are sold only by prescription. These are "Carbamazepine", "Phenytoin", "Diphenin" and others. Nootropic drugs that improve blood circulation in the brain are also needed. But they can only be prescribed by a doctor. The most commonly used are Phenotropil or Piracetam.
What can a patient do himself
But psychologists also understand how to cure epilepsy. Psychosomatics will help the patient to take a fresh look at his attitude to life, at his worldview and character. If you change something in yourself, you can get rid of attacks. There are several tips for patients to help them reduce the amount of medication they take.
- First of all, with epilepsy, psychosomatics recommends finding the cause of the disease. The patient needs to remember what emotions he felt when they tried to suppress him or force him to do something against his will.
- Then you need to understand that it is not necessary to obey or do what you do not want. You must be able to follow your desires and remember that every person has the right to choose.
- We must try to begin to realize our desires. Often patients with epilepsy cannot engage in creativity or whatever they like because of fear of condemnation.
In order to apply these tips, many have to turn to a psychologist. He will help to realize your desires, get rid of fears. Many also benefit from keeping a diary, in which you need to record your observations and experienced emotions. You can not blame yourself for failure or assume that something will not work. Only by changing the patient’s attitude to himself and gaining a sense of confidence can he get rid of the disease.
Attack Prevention
If you consider the psychosomatics of epilepsy in adults, you can understand how to prevent the onset of seizures. General recommendations include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eliminating alcohol and drugs, and balanced nutrition. It is important to avoid stress, overwork and emotional upheaval, even positive ones.
In addition, the patient is advised to avoid sudden changes in illumination, flickering light, hyperventilation. They should not work at night, attend discos or nightclubs. It is undesirable to undergo high cardio loads, to be under the scorching sun. If the patient can change his lifestyle, worldview and behavior, he can live in peace without epileptic seizures.