Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE), which came to the fore with the death of Yavuz Yılmaz, son of former prime minister Mesut Yılmaz, is a resistant type of epilepsy. Pointing out that the way the disease is perceived may lead to mood disorders, experts warned that drug treatment should not be stopped without a doctor's recommendation.
Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Neurologist Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı gave important information about Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.
Prof. stated that epilepsy is a chronic disease characterized by involuntary movement and consciousness disorders caused by uncontrolled electrical currents originating from certain parts of the brain. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said that the disease is a disease that requires the use of medication for a long time.
The way the disease is perceived affects the mood
Mood disorders or depressive feelings in epilepsy patients. Stating that the situation occurs very frequently, Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, “Especially in patients with temporal epilepsy, or in general, in epilepsy patients, suicide rates may be approximately 5-6 times higher than in normal healthy people, or sometimes there may be other factors that determine this. First; The burden of the disease, that is, the way the person perceives that disease. In other words, he thinks that the disease is an incurable disease or it affects his social life because due to the nature of epilepsy; Seizures can suddenly occur in unexpected places. "This situation can create social withdrawal and increase the person's depressive mood," he said.
One-third of epilepsy patients may have a mood disorder
What causes epilepsy? Stating that scientific mechanisms also cause mood disorders, Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, “So, in epilepsy, some substances increase or decrease in the brain. Similar substances increase and decrease in depression and mood disorders. Therefore, there may be a close relationship between epilepsy and depressive mood. "Almost one-third of epilepsy patients may have mood disorders and depression," he said.
Labeling affects the patient
Disease Stating that it can also cause labeling in society, Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, “In some diseases, a situation called labeling occurs, this situation occurs more in epilepsy. When there is heart disease, a very negative attitude is not taken towards the patient, but when epilepsy is mentioned, a negative attitude and something that we call labeling the patient emerges. The patient is viewed negatively. This is also reflected in the patient's view of his own illness. Therefore, it can cause a depressive state, which we call social withdrawal, loneliness, isolation, and a decrease in human relations,” he said.
Unscientific interpretations affect the course of the disease
Prof. also drew attention to the problems related to the perception of epilepsy. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı stated that in some circles, interpretations that are incompatible with science are made such that these patients are possessed by demons or cast a spell, and that these negatively affect the treatment process, and noted that sometimes epilepsy can be considered as a mental illness. Tarlacı said, “These situations also change the patient's perception. When there is panic disorder, the patient does not feel so bad, for example, they say with excitement that they have panic disorder. Therefore, because it causes such labeling, it creates social withdrawal and a negative emotional state in the patient. He breaks off social relations, wants to stay at home, does not want to go out. He stays away from entertainment, activities, and friends, and this time his depression increases,” he said. by Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, “Temporal Lobe Epilepsy constitutes almost 7 to 10 percent of normal epilepsy patients and originates from the depths of the temporal region of the brain, which we call the temporal region of the brain, which coincides with the side region when you place your hand. Characteristics of seizures in this region: They are a little resistant, that is, they are a little more resistant to treatment than other regions. At the same time, due to the seizure type, mood disorders may occur more frequently in such patients. Of course, not only seizures, but also some epilepsy medications used can cause mood disorders and even depression. They can also cause severe depression that can lead to suicidal tendencies. Behind this situation; "The genetic structure of the person, perception of the disease, compliance with treatment and drug effect."
80 percent success can be achieved in the surgery
If the seizures in the temporal region are resistant, surgery is also an alternative. Stating that it is possible, Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, “In surgery, we find and remove the focus in the temporal region of the brain. Or we plan a surgical treatment appropriate for the patient. "The success rate of such surgical methods is close to 80 percent, but in some cases, low-dose medication may be required," he said.
Drugs should not be stopped without a doctor's recommendation
Prof draws attention to the importance of using medication in the treatment of the disease. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı emphasized that medications should not be stopped unless recommended by the doctor and said:
“Some medications cure mood disorders, and some epilepsy medications are drugs used by psychiatrists for depression. But on the contrary, some epilepsy drugs can cause side effects that can cause mood disorders, but we never want epilepsy patients to stop their medications themselves because there are certain conditions for stopping medications. If the drug is stopped after those conditions are not met, frequent seizures, repeated seizures, or even seizures leading to death may occur without regaining consciousness. The most common cause of seizures and recurring seizures is drug withdrawal. In other words, the patient self-discontinues the medication. Stopping epilepsy medications quickly or suddenly will cause seizures to occur one after the other.”
Epilepsy does not cause paralysis
There are claims in the newspapers that the disease may have consequences that lead to paralysis. Referring to Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, “This information needs to be corrected. Normally, we do not expect a complication such as paralysis in epilepsy patients. Muscle weakness or similar functional losses caused by bleeding in the brain or vascular occlusion, which we call paralysis. Such permanent paralysis is not expected in epilepsy patients; such a thing is not possible, that is, such a paralysis does not occur due to frequent seizures. Only temporary loss of consciousness or impaired perception "Behavioral disorders, which we call psychosis, may occur especially in cases of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy," he said. Stating that unnecessary and exaggerated pressures may arise, Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlacı said, “There may be prejudices such as they cannot get married or have children. Under normal circumstances, a patient whose seizures are under control can live as a normal person would, but what should he pay attention to? For example, if he is swimming, he must swim in a place that does not exceed knee level, and someone must be with him because drowning may occur during seizures. If you are going to walk in nature, you must have someone with you. But there is no requirement for someone whose seizures are under control to have someone with them at home all the time. However, if seizure control is poor and the patient has frequent seizures, of course there will be loss of consciousness, so an observer or someone must be with him/her during the seizure,” he warned.
Read: 0
