Stress, Mood, and Seizures

Regardless of the cause, probably the best way to decrease your seizure frequency is to follow your medication schedule very closely.  The number one reported cause of increased seizures was missed medications. When you don't take your seizure medicine or take less than you should, the levels of medication in your body and brain fall. Your brain may begin to show unusual activity, which can lead to seizures.

When stress or worry is a trigger, there are a number of things you could do to lessen the chance of a seizure. 

• First, look at how stress is affecting you and how you are coping. Is there a way to lessen it's impact on you? Are there ways to manage stress better? 
• Are you having sleep problems? Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of stress and mood problems. Since sleep deprivation is a common seizure trigger, it's important to pay attention to sleep at these times. 
• Are you eating normally? Eating habits often get disrupted when people are feeling stress. Some people eat more, others don't eat or have poor eating habits. Some people find they have more seizures when not eating well or going long periods without eating. Maybe you are drinking too much coffee or caffeinated beverages? This can worsen seizures by disrupting your sleep? 
• Is alcohol or using 'recreational' drugs a problem? Sometimes substance use or abuse is a problem when people have mood problems or are feeling stressed. Not a good idea if you have seizures. Some people are more likely to have seizures during or after alcohol use and many 'recreational' drugs can worsen seizures.