Male Speaker: 42-year old Cynthia Rickmen who was constant mother of three was diagnosed with epilepsy, 17-years ago when she suddenly had a seizure. When medical test conformed that she did in fact have seizure disorder she said she was initially angry and then become depressed.
Cynthia Rickmen: Going along with the anger how could my body do this to me, how come my mind is malfunctioning that kind of depression, I would say that yeah, you know, and it comes and goes it's not a steady something they were going to put me on, you know, some kind of fancy medicine for something I was able to kind of dig myself out of.
Male Speaker: Epilepsy is a neurological condition that occurs as a result of abnormal electrical activity originating form the brain. Brain cells communicate by sending electrical signals in an orderly pattern. In epilepsy these electrical signals become abnormal and pretty seizures, a seizure is a change in sensation awareness or behavior brought about by electrical disturbance in the brain. Every year nearly 200,000 Americans will develop epilepsy for the first time although typically diagnosed in early childhood new onset of epilepsy often a period's later in life and elderly and in women of reproductive age. Some medications may have side effects that result in mood changes. Particularly in females, one out of every three women with epilepsy suffers from depression.
Dr. Barry Gidal: Some of the older medication may in fact make depression worse, for example phenobarbital, in a patient with depression perhaps even a patient with the history of depression Phenobarbital may exacerbate that.
Male Speaker: Women with epilepsy face many distinct challenges. There are more than 1 million women and girls in the United States living with seizure disorders. And the problems they face, range form changes during the month of cycle which may trigger seizures to concerns regarding birth control effectiveness and pregnancy. Cynthia Rickmen has her seizures under control and while here three children born after she was diagnosed the epilepsy keeps her very busy they also help to keep her life happy and very normal. Changes in medication and the support of her family got her through the rough times.
Cynthia Rickmen: Love, support, behind those things in your family it helps.
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