Son's chilhood growth w/phenabarbitol for seizure treatment

Before I ask my question, I'd like to begin with some background information. While I was overseas in 1977-78, our son was diagnosed by a Dr. for a type of seizure which I observed once before going overseas that happened while he was running towards us and fainted. No tremors or shaking. After awhile, he reawoke. At the time, our son was two years old. While I was overseas, he was put on phenabarbitol throughout his entire childhood. He continues to take it today as a young man. Although my former wife and I are divorced and I have only partial information, I found out he would hide in the closet, started school with good academics and then attempted to take his own life due to a bad incident in his life. He has been under some psychiatric treatment. My son is now twenty six years old.  Is this normal or are there other methods to tend to my son's treatment? I understand there is some treatment at John Hopkins involving some diet changes with no continued dependence on drugs.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear James,

I think the treatment for seizure disorder is not related to your son's other difficulties, which are more indicative of mental health/emotional disorders. If he is now unhappy or not doing well in the major domains of his life (employment, personal/family, peers), a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional might be useful. At his age, of course, he would need to seek this out.