Epilepsy and bi-polar

[Mary Beth]

My daughter is soon to be 17 and she has been on and of Depakote since she was 5.  She was diagnosed with petimal(spelling?) seizures.  Later about 11 years old she became violent and I sent her to a clinic for a 3 month stay in TN. and they sad she was bi-polar and  deressed.  After several years on lithium the doctor took her off the lithium saying she nolonger needed it.  Now she has moved to Colorado with her father and started having seizures again.  They again placed her on Depakote.  She has violent out breaks and has tried to commit suicide.  I'm at a loss.  I want her to get help but not sure what is wrong is it seizures, depression, bi-polar disorder or is one caused by the other?  What avenue should I persue?  My duaghter said the Neurologist said she has scaring on her brain from the seizures.  This has never been told to us before.  Can scaring happen after so many years?  Please help me.

[Mary Beth Canbulat]

Thank you for your quick reply.  I really appreciate the information.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Mary Beth,

It sounds like your daughter displays both a seizure disorder and a mood disorder. The Depakote is being prescribed for her seizures, and it may also benefit her by enhancing the stability of her mood.

In any case, it definitely makes sense to re-evaluate the mood disorder, and she may well resume Lithium treatment (since it seems to have benefitted her in the past). It may also be that she is started on an antidepressant. The important thing is to proceed with a re-evaluation, and be sure the new doctors are informed about all aspects of her prior treatment.

Sometimes seizures occur and it's not possible to discern any particular injury to the brain. In other instances, EEG's indicate what are called lesions on the brain. These refer to any number of abnormalities, and they are responsible for the irregular electrical activity that produces the seizures. You might want to address particular questions about this to our NEUROLOGY FORUM.