A child with epilepsy: the tasks of parents
When parents are informed of this diagnosis of a child, their first reaction is shock and rejection of the disease. However, the more they learn about this disease and the characteristics of their child, the less they panic and try to approach the new situation for them accordingly. Often parents at first feel that their child will not be able to meet all the expectations that each parent places on him. They give in to panic, doubt, shame for their own impotence. A rare case when parents initially correctly, reasonably and creatively behave towards the child, trying to organize in his life all the conditions for health and development, find opportunities for close interaction with his doctor, employees of the kindergarten and school.
Parents of children with epilepsy should know:
- what is epilepsy;
- causes and forms of epilepsy;
- the types of seizures and their causes;
- control of seizures with an aura;
- maintaining a calendar of seizures;
- correct first aid in case of an epileptic seizure;
- why drug treatment is necessary;
- antiepileptic drugs and their possible side effects;
- the cause of the change in the doses of the drugs by the treating doctor, especially if the doses are elevated;
- laws governing the provision of assistance to the child( for example, the "Law on Psychiatric Care").
How to cheer the child
From the attitude of parents to the diagnosis of "epilepsy" psychological support of children in the family largely depends. What parents need to do in order to develop a positive attitude towards the attacks:
- mentally and psychologically support the child;
- tell the child about his attacks, the need for treatment, safety and painlessness of a doctor's test at this age clear words.
Provide a healthy child lifestyle by:
- of an optimal diet and compliance with sleep regimen;
- regular intake of antiepileptic drugs with the exception of the possibility of abrupt discontinuation of treatment;
- periodic check of teeth and oral cavity at the dentist;
- observe precautions in case of attacks at home, at school, games, transport, but avoid hyper-care;
- be persistent, do not let the child use their seizures to achieve their goals.
Young children have a very lively perception of the world. Children's thinking, as a rule, directly, so the child is easily scared. Fears arise if the child does not know about the things that happen to him. It will pass, if it is clever to explain to the child that situation in which he has got. Children often have a distorted view of seizures until they are told what it is. Parents usually receive information from a doctor, but the child is told nothing, because they think that he is too small. This gives the child a misunderstanding of their conditions. He is taken to the doctors, wires are attached to his head, besides, he must take medicines every day.
Even small children guess that with their "head something is happening."If parents hide from the child the truth, he can imagine something terrible and frightened. If he does not tell us about seizures and the need for long-term use of drugs, he can draw his own conclusions. A child can connect these seizures with the thought of death, or about his inferiority. Therefore, a child with seizures should explain his condition so that he understands what it is and was not afraid of attacks.
To explain to a little child what seizures are while they do not know the structure of their body, it is difficult. You must tell that many people have seizures, and the medications the child takes will help him to recover. It's good to set an example of some other child with bouts. Tell about how he was treated and can be introduced to them, if possible. It is useful for older children to talk in detail about the activity of the brain and the mechanism of the appearance of seizures.
For example: "Our brains control everything we do: talk, hear, breathe and walk." Sometimes too strong electrical discharges of brain cells and signals that enter the brain from the outside are mixed in. This can lead to excessive excitation of brain cells in the form of seizures(Cramps). The tablets you take help to reduce the excess electrical activity of the brain and, accordingly, prevent seizures. Millions of people, not just you, have the same problems and successfully cope with them with medication and seductionDenia regime. "
Adolescence problems
Parents should be especially attentive to adolescents, as they have their own special problems associated with transitional age:
- do not limit the social and social activity of adolescents;
- be prepared to explain the side effects of drugs and the danger of sudden discontinuation of treatment;
- explain the effect on attacks of head injuries, stress( exams, competitions, unemployment, etc.), sleep disorders, alcohol, nicotine and contraceptive use;
- tell about hereditary factors of epilepsy, sex problems, the possibility of having a family and a child;
- discuss together with a teenager the future profession.
For the best adaptation of the child in society, parents need to establish a good relationship:
- with the attending doctor and his nurse;
- with a tutor and other personnel in a children's institution;
- with school teachers;
- with a school nurse;
- with neighbors;
- with the child's friends;
- with other people who often communicate with their child.
