Bipolar-Epilepsy and criminal activity

[ranman]

A lot of times bipolar/manic depression/clinical depression and/or ADD can be triggered by epilepsy or the anti-convulsive meds.
Some of the symptoms include.....paranoia.......aggresive and/or violent behavior.......no respect........no motivation...........no initiative.......always want to sleep......poor eating habits......spending money just for the sake of spending...etc.


Very often kids get into trouble with the law etc. and everybody is quick to call him a bad kid when it is an undiagnosed medical problem that can be treated with meds.

I have a 20 year old son that was dianosed with "Bi-Polar" (manic depression) when he was 12 and he has been putting this family through hell.

So, seeing it for myself as well as the feedback I've had from other ppl, I definately feel that the two are connected.

Randy

[springmang]

In recent studies on the subject, it has been estimated that between 47 and 75% of people with epilepsy have mood disorders. This doesn't count inter ictal psychosis, inter ictal depression, anxiety, or oppositional defiant disorder. I believe I know what you are going though because both my son (now 32 years of age) and I have epilepsy, and it wasn't easy for either of us. For the past 16 years I've been in the mental health field and have really tried to make a difference for people with epilepsy, and mood disorders here in Canada.