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I’m new to this epilepsy “world” . But since my first one 6 months ago I have trouble with concentration, filling out forms, reading, etc.

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Riverside, CA

Things that were simple to me before . Now I get easily frustrated and confused . I just want to know if this has occurred to anyone else as well. I now have a lot of anxiety and it just makes matters worse . My neurologist says all my scans are fine but I don’t feel fine. I just want to know if anyone else had similar issues after their first seizure.?

February 5
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Reactions
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Yes, honey, you are not alone on this. I have an ongoing struggle with concentration & retaining information at times. I keep a little notebook in my purse or jot down notes on my phone to help me stay on top of things 💕

February 6
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Good post, I agree with the ai mentioned about it and other people's opinions here, I have a little bit of that with my condition and it is a slight concern for me to but not a issue with like before when diagnosed with at first,, get people's opinions here which is ok with but then go to your doc about the situation at hand and go from there about it and good luck with your outcome with it my opinion

February 6
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member
Yes, Before I had seizures I had the best memory a kid could have. I could remember things and when I read a story I could tell my mom everything about it. However, the very moment I started having seizures, at age 10, I no longer could remember anything. My mom could tell and she started helping me with homework and she read every book I had to read throughout high school and helped me. This is common if you have temporal lobe seizures. The temporal lobe is the part of the brain where the hippocampus is located. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that stores memory/remembers. The dead brain cells in my temporal lobe ruined my memory

February 5
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Concentration yes. Filling out forms not really unless you factor in handwriting. Handwriting is the only major issue I have with this.

February 5
MyEpilepsyTeam

Are concentration and memory problems common after seizures?

Yes, what you're experiencing is very common. Many people with epilepsy report concentration problems and difficulty with tasks that used to feel simple. Seizures can cause cognitive effects that impact short-term memory and make it harder to learn new information.

Show Full Answer

Are concentration and memory problems common after seizures?

Yes, what you're experiencing is very common. Many people with epilepsy report concentration problems and difficulty with tasks that used to feel simple. Seizures can cause cognitive effects that impact short-term memory and make it harder to learn new information.

A MyEpilepsyTeam member shared similar feelings: "Each time I have a seizure, it's like more and more of my memory is taken." Another member wrote, "I'm so tired of not remembering."

The frustration and confusion you're feeling are real, even when scans look normal. Memory and concentration issues can seriously affect day-to-day well-being and quality of life for people living with epilepsy. How does anxiety fit into this?

Your anxiety is also very common and can make concentration problems worse. About 16.3 percent of people with epilepsy experience depression, and anxiety often goes hand-in-hand with it. The worry about having seizures, chemical and hormonal changes, and long-term stress can all contribute.

One MyEpilepsyTeam member said: "I've found that being in groups, even family, gets my anxiety going. I'm scared to go, just being scared of having [a seizure] gets my anxiety going."

It's important to talk to your neurologist about these cognitive and emotional symptoms, not just the seizures themselves. Early seizure control through medications is critical for preserving memory as much as possible, and there are also strategies and treatments that can help with memory and anxiety.

February 5

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