Personal Impact Paper: Epilepsy Cases
Personal Impact Paper: Epilepsy
The Epilepsy Foundation has estimated that every year there that there are 200,000 new cases of epilepsy reported yearly. Epilepsy can affect people at different ages and in many different ways. In some cases, it can only be a temporary problem that can be resolved with medication. In other cases, it can be a lifelong battle having it affect many areas in your life. People suffering from epilepsy find it challenging to maintain a regular full functioning life making it a struggle to develop personal relationships, work, and do simple things in life that were once enjoyable to that person.
Case Study
This paper will be discussing the personal impact and journey of 23-year-old Ms. Kaye-Loni Shields after …show more content…
being diagnosed with what is referred to as "Generalized Epilepsy." Kaye-Loni 's first episode of a seizure occurred when she was 21 years old in October 2008. She was working at Subways Restaurant preparing a sandwich when she blackout hit her head and fell to the floor and was biting her tongue. Her assistant manager went to help her and realized she was convulsing on the floor. Immediately she was rushed to the hospital where she woke up surrounded by her family and said she did not remember anything that happened. Ms. Shields states that she had never presented with any symptoms to lead to her seizure episode but that she was being treated for Bipolar disorder due to her depression that ended up being misdiagnosed because her depression was being caused by her epilepsy she just had not had an episode yet. She was taking Zoloft and Xanax for her bipolar disorder, and the combination of those two medications led to her seizure which resulting in the discovery. She went to seek treatment with various doctors who were not able to explain to her the cause of her seizure. Having found no answers from the doctors she just paid no mind to it and returned to work. Two months later she was at work again and had another convulsion, and was referred to a neurologist. The neurologist discharged her bipolar medications and placed her on Lamictal but ran no tests on her and referred her to a psychiatrist. After searching two and a half years (2010), she found a neurologist to her liking and they decided to perform an EEG and confirmed their suspicion.
Idiopathic Generalized Seizures
Idiopathic generalised epilepsies (IGEs) constitute one-third of all epilepsies.
Idiopathic generalized Epilepsy (IGE) describes a group of epilepsy syndromes with a non-focal mechanism of onset and no identifiable cause other than a genetic disposition, (Current Science Inc., 2004). They are the most common form affecting both sexes and all races. IGE usually appears during childhood years or adolescence, but in some cases can appear in adulthood and are lifelong. IGE manifests with typical absences, myoclonic jerks, and generalised tonic-clonic seizures. It consists of a combination of loss of consciousness followed by generalized body stiffening (called the "tonic" phase of the seizure) for 30 to 60 seconds, then by violent jerking (the "clonic" phase) for 30 to 60 seconds, after which the patient goes into a deep sleep (the "postictal" or after-seizure phase). Sporadic jerks, usually on both sides of the body can also occur. Patients sometimes describe the jerks as brief electrical shocks. When violent, these seizures may result in dropping or involuntarily throwing …show more content…
objects.
Social Effects and Stressors
Doctors evaluated the causes of Ms. Shields convulsive episodes and determined that her convulsions are triggered due to lack of sleep, missed doses of medications that she use to do, and alcohol consumption. Being a college student those three factors are difficult to avoid. She would always stay up late night studying. She would go to parties and drink without control. She found it very difficult to maintain a social life having these limitations and not being able to go out and enjoy herself like an ordinary girl at her age. She found it challenging to go out and attempt to live a normal life in public. She felt that the things she once enjoyed doing seem limited and impossible. On one occasion she attended a wedding of a friend and while sitting on at her table reached for her glass, fell to the floor and began to convulse. When she awoke, she found herself surrounded by many people who she said, "Gawked" at her. She felt, "Awkward, embarrassed and upset" having all those people that she knew just stand there at stare at her.
Personal Effects of having epilepsy
Ms. Shields has always been an "A" student. In high school, she was involved in all types of extracurricular activities. In college, she maintained a high grade point average and made it on the deans list. After her seizures began to occur her medication therapy interfered with her concentration and thought process. She found that her short- term memory was impaired. Taking exams in school after having episodes would affect her short- term memory, which made if very difficult to keep up with her schoolwork. The constant change of medication would alter her mood. She was always upset, withdrawn, and depressed until she found a medication that worked for her and maintains her free of seizures and in a balanced mood. After Ms. Shield 's epilepsy developed she was also not allowed to drive for six months disabling her to get around and run her personal errands as an ordinary person would. Between the seizures and mood swings from the medication, she felt isolated from her friends and co-workers. Having been diagnosed with seizures was a life changing experience that motivated her to speak to others who were going through the same process. Ms. Shields mentions how her mother and significant other provide comfort and support to her and that she would feel lost without them. Her significant other drives her to where she needs to go and finds personal story books about people going through her disease and how it is affecting and what they are doing to help themselves to help her cope better with the disease.
Financial Stressors
Ms. Shield 's condition did not affect her working capabilities. She was able to continue working like normal however transportation had to be provided by a family member or significant other. The only change in her workplace that occurred was that her co-workers showed concern for her about offered to be instructed on how to care for her in case she was to go into a convulsive episode. She appreciated the fact that they showed that they cared and asked questions extending a helping hand to her. She instructed her co-workers on when and when not to call an ambulance, and how to position her. For the moment, she is not working because she continued her education, but she does have a troubling question: How would you explain to your boss that you suffer from seizures? Would you tell them?
Educational Experience and Change Motivators
Ms. Shields attends seizure walks every year meeting people from all the United States who come to support the walk and through it has developed many friendships from this activity helping her realize that there are so many people who share her medical condition. She participates in bowling activities and social functions that are involved with the health promotion of people with seizure disorders. She took it upon her to do research on the Internet and discovered that living a healthy lifestyle contributes to decreased seizure activity. She mentions that by exercising and eating healthy she feels that her "Brain is better" resulting in reduced memory loss and stuttering. When Ms. Shields is currently on Topamax, and she refers to it the drug that her body tolerates. She improved concentration and has been able to keep herself 2 year 's seizure free. To help her with her memory, she does word games or crossword puzzles as brain exercises. She is aware of her drinking limitations but does drink in moderation and knows not to take it too far. Now she that she has accepted her medical condition and realizes it is a part of who she is she recognizes that you cannot let epilepsy control you that you have to control it ad live life to the fullest.
Recommended Theory
Based on this Ms.
Shield 's acceptance of the disease and understanding she would benefit from the approach of the social cognitive learning theory. In Cognitive theory learning is the development of insights or understandings that provide a potential guide for behavior, (Redman, 2007). An individual 's personal experience can converge with the behavioral determinants and the environmental factors. In the person-environment interaction, human beliefs, ideas and cognitive competencies are modified by external factors such as a supportive parent, stressful environment or a hot climate. In Ms. Shield 's case, her triggers are influenced by her surroundings. If she 's at a party and there 's alcohol, there 's a chance of consumption that can harm her.High work load can cause lack of sleep and precipitate an episode. By having her recognize the potential harmful factors that can precipitate her seizures she can better manage herself and direct herself into constructive activities that will improve her health. This model clearly implies that for effective and positive learning to occur an individual should have positive personal characteristics exhibit appropriate behavior and stay in a supportive
environment.
Conclusion
Having seizures is a debilitating disease that can severely limit a person 's capabilities to become their fully functioning self. For a person with this disorder, the most important two things you can have is your optimism and family support. Having a support system is a key factor with a person having this chronic disease they need to rely on the people around them for help physically and emotionally. You need to have a positive outlook in life and look forward to the future and not limit yourself as to what you can do. With proper medical treatment and a healthy support system, this disease can be managed and allow the person to look forward to life and not feel limited.
References:
Redman B.K (2007). The practice of Patient Education (10th edition).St.Louis: Mosby
(2004). Current Treatment Options in Neurology. Current Science Inc., 6: 231-242.
The Epilepsy Foundation has estimated that every year there that there are 200,000 new cases of epilepsy reported yearly. Epilepsy can affect people at different ages and in many different ways. In some cases, it can only be a temporary problem that can be resolved with medication. In other cases, it can be a lifelong battle having it affect many areas in your life. People suffering from epilepsy find it challenging to maintain a regular full functioning life making it a struggle to develop personal relationships, work, and do simple things in life that were once enjoyable to that person.
Case Study
This paper will be discussing the personal impact and journey of 23-year-old Ms. Kaye-Loni Shields after …show more content…
being diagnosed with what is referred to as "Generalized Epilepsy." Kaye-Loni 's first episode of a seizure occurred when she was 21 years old in October 2008. She was working at Subways Restaurant preparing a sandwich when she blackout hit her head and fell to the floor and was biting her tongue. Her assistant manager went to help her and realized she was convulsing on the floor. Immediately she was rushed to the hospital where she woke up surrounded by her family and said she did not remember anything that happened. Ms. Shields states that she had never presented with any symptoms to lead to her seizure episode but that she was being treated for Bipolar disorder due to her depression that ended up being misdiagnosed because her depression was being caused by her epilepsy she just had not had an episode yet. She was taking Zoloft and Xanax for her bipolar disorder, and the combination of those two medications led to her seizure which resulting in the discovery. She went to seek treatment with various doctors who were not able to explain to her the cause of her seizure. Having found no answers from the doctors she just paid no mind to it and returned to work. Two months later she was at work again and had another convulsion, and was referred to a neurologist. The neurologist discharged her bipolar medications and placed her on Lamictal but ran no tests on her and referred her to a psychiatrist. After searching two and a half years (2010), she found a neurologist to her liking and they decided to perform an EEG and confirmed their suspicion.
Idiopathic Generalized Seizures
Idiopathic generalised epilepsies (IGEs) constitute one-third of all epilepsies.
Idiopathic generalized Epilepsy (IGE) describes a group of epilepsy syndromes with a non-focal mechanism of onset and no identifiable cause other than a genetic disposition, (Current Science Inc., 2004). They are the most common form affecting both sexes and all races. IGE usually appears during childhood years or adolescence, but in some cases can appear in adulthood and are lifelong. IGE manifests with typical absences, myoclonic jerks, and generalised tonic-clonic seizures. It consists of a combination of loss of consciousness followed by generalized body stiffening (called the "tonic" phase of the seizure) for 30 to 60 seconds, then by violent jerking (the "clonic" phase) for 30 to 60 seconds, after which the patient goes into a deep sleep (the "postictal" or after-seizure phase). Sporadic jerks, usually on both sides of the body can also occur. Patients sometimes describe the jerks as brief electrical shocks. When violent, these seizures may result in dropping or involuntarily throwing …show more content…
objects.
Social Effects and Stressors
Doctors evaluated the causes of Ms. Shields convulsive episodes and determined that her convulsions are triggered due to lack of sleep, missed doses of medications that she use to do, and alcohol consumption. Being a college student those three factors are difficult to avoid. She would always stay up late night studying. She would go to parties and drink without control. She found it very difficult to maintain a social life having these limitations and not being able to go out and enjoy herself like an ordinary girl at her age. She found it challenging to go out and attempt to live a normal life in public. She felt that the things she once enjoyed doing seem limited and impossible. On one occasion she attended a wedding of a friend and while sitting on at her table reached for her glass, fell to the floor and began to convulse. When she awoke, she found herself surrounded by many people who she said, "Gawked" at her. She felt, "Awkward, embarrassed and upset" having all those people that she knew just stand there at stare at her.
Personal Effects of having epilepsy
Ms. Shields has always been an "A" student. In high school, she was involved in all types of extracurricular activities. In college, she maintained a high grade point average and made it on the deans list. After her seizures began to occur her medication therapy interfered with her concentration and thought process. She found that her short- term memory was impaired. Taking exams in school after having episodes would affect her short- term memory, which made if very difficult to keep up with her schoolwork. The constant change of medication would alter her mood. She was always upset, withdrawn, and depressed until she found a medication that worked for her and maintains her free of seizures and in a balanced mood. After Ms. Shield 's epilepsy developed she was also not allowed to drive for six months disabling her to get around and run her personal errands as an ordinary person would. Between the seizures and mood swings from the medication, she felt isolated from her friends and co-workers. Having been diagnosed with seizures was a life changing experience that motivated her to speak to others who were going through the same process. Ms. Shields mentions how her mother and significant other provide comfort and support to her and that she would feel lost without them. Her significant other drives her to where she needs to go and finds personal story books about people going through her disease and how it is affecting and what they are doing to help themselves to help her cope better with the disease.
Financial Stressors
Ms. Shield 's condition did not affect her working capabilities. She was able to continue working like normal however transportation had to be provided by a family member or significant other. The only change in her workplace that occurred was that her co-workers showed concern for her about offered to be instructed on how to care for her in case she was to go into a convulsive episode. She appreciated the fact that they showed that they cared and asked questions extending a helping hand to her. She instructed her co-workers on when and when not to call an ambulance, and how to position her. For the moment, she is not working because she continued her education, but she does have a troubling question: How would you explain to your boss that you suffer from seizures? Would you tell them?
Educational Experience and Change Motivators
Ms. Shields attends seizure walks every year meeting people from all the United States who come to support the walk and through it has developed many friendships from this activity helping her realize that there are so many people who share her medical condition. She participates in bowling activities and social functions that are involved with the health promotion of people with seizure disorders. She took it upon her to do research on the Internet and discovered that living a healthy lifestyle contributes to decreased seizure activity. She mentions that by exercising and eating healthy she feels that her "Brain is better" resulting in reduced memory loss and stuttering. When Ms. Shields is currently on Topamax, and she refers to it the drug that her body tolerates. She improved concentration and has been able to keep herself 2 year 's seizure free. To help her with her memory, she does word games or crossword puzzles as brain exercises. She is aware of her drinking limitations but does drink in moderation and knows not to take it too far. Now she that she has accepted her medical condition and realizes it is a part of who she is she recognizes that you cannot let epilepsy control you that you have to control it ad live life to the fullest.
Recommended Theory
Based on this Ms.
Shield 's acceptance of the disease and understanding she would benefit from the approach of the social cognitive learning theory. In Cognitive theory learning is the development of insights or understandings that provide a potential guide for behavior, (Redman, 2007). An individual 's personal experience can converge with the behavioral determinants and the environmental factors. In the person-environment interaction, human beliefs, ideas and cognitive competencies are modified by external factors such as a supportive parent, stressful environment or a hot climate. In Ms. Shield 's case, her triggers are influenced by her surroundings. If she 's at a party and there 's alcohol, there 's a chance of consumption that can harm her.High work load can cause lack of sleep and precipitate an episode. By having her recognize the potential harmful factors that can precipitate her seizures she can better manage herself and direct herself into constructive activities that will improve her health. This model clearly implies that for effective and positive learning to occur an individual should have positive personal characteristics exhibit appropriate behavior and stay in a supportive
environment.
Conclusion
Having seizures is a debilitating disease that can severely limit a person 's capabilities to become their fully functioning self. For a person with this disorder, the most important two things you can have is your optimism and family support. Having a support system is a key factor with a person having this chronic disease they need to rely on the people around them for help physically and emotionally. You need to have a positive outlook in life and look forward to the future and not limit yourself as to what you can do. With proper medical treatment and a healthy support system, this disease can be managed and allow the person to look forward to life and not feel limited.
References:
Redman B.K (2007). The practice of Patient Education (10th edition).St.Louis: Mosby
(2004). Current Treatment Options in Neurology. Current Science Inc., 6: 231-242.