As a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in epilepsy, I can tell you this: epilepsy doesn’t stop at seizures. It ripples through mental health, relationships, family dynamics, and every layer of someone’s life. And while many already understand the basics of epilepsy—seizure types, medication, and triggers—what we don’t talk about enough is the mental toll. Not just on the individual, but on their entire support system.

Let’s break that silence this Mental Health Awareness Month.

Epilepsy and Mental Health: The Overlap Is Too Big to Ignore

Epilepsy and mental health are deeply intertwined. In fact, people living with epilepsy are two to five times more likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder than the general population (Kwon & Park, 2014). Among the most common comorbidities? Depression and anxiety—which affect approximately 35% and 25.6% of individuals with epilepsy, respectively (Ridsdale et al., 2020).

These aren’t just numbers—they represent very real struggles. Depression in epilepsy isn’t always tied to having seizures. It can stem from social stigma, job loss, medication side effects, and the unpredictable nature of the disorder. The anxiety that accompanies not knowing when the next seizure will strike can be paralyzing.

What’s worse is that these mental health challenges often worsen epilepsy outcomes. Untreated depression and anxiety have been linked to increased seizure frequency, lower medication adherence, and even increased mortality (Scott et al., 2017).

Where Are the Therapists Who “Get It”?

Here’s a hard truth: there just aren’t enough mental health professionals who specialize in epilepsy.

Psychiatrists and neuropsychologists are vital—but they often focus on diagnosis, medication management, and cognitive testing. That’s important, but it doesn’t cover the whole picture. Talk therapy—particularly systemic therapy that includes the family, caregivers, and partners—is essential because epilepsy doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s a chronic, relational, and emotional condition.

As therapists, we often see partners struggling with caregiver burnout, parents overwhelmed by fear and guilt, and individuals who feel isolated even in their own homes. These experiences require tailored therapy that acknowledges the neurological and emotional weight of epilepsy.

Why We Need a Systemic Approach

Epilepsy affects more than brain waves. It affects:

• How families make decisions
• How children navigate school and friendships
• How couples handle intimacy and stress
• How individuals form their identity in the face of chronic illness

This is why Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) has a critical role to play. We don’t just look at the individual—we look at the entire system around them. Systemic therapy recognizes that healing doesn’t just happen in a vacuum; it happens in conversations, routines, boundaries, and relationships.

And right now, far too many epilepsy patients and their families are navigating that without any therapeutic support.

Closing the Gap: What We’re Doing at Epilepsy Reach

That’s where Epilepsy Reach steps in.

We know the mental health gap in epilepsy care is real—and we’re committed to closing it. Our mental health team includes trained professionals who understand epilepsy from both a clinical and lived-experience perspective. We offer individual therapy, family sessions, and support groups specifically designed for people living with seizures and those who love them.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, parenting a child with epilepsy, or struggling in silence after years of living with the disorder—you’re not alone. Mental health care is not a luxury for people with epilepsy—it’s a necessity.

Conclusion: Whole Person, Whole System, Whole Care

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s remember that treating epilepsy means more than managing seizures. It means showing up for the emotional exhaustion, the identity shifts, the relationship stress, and the systemic impact this condition brings.

If you’re part of the epilepsy community, you deserve care that honors every part of your journey—not just the medical chart.

At Epilepsy Reach, we’re here to do just that. Because healing starts when you feel seen, heard, and supported—mind, body, and system.

You’re Not Alone: Crisis & Mental Health Support Resources

Mental health support should be accessible, affirming, and culturally responsive—especially for those living with epilepsy and their families. Whether you’re navigating daily stress, a recent diagnosis, or a mental health crisis, these resources are here for you.

General Crisis Support

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  Call or text 988
  24/7, free and confidential emotional support for anyone in distress.
  988lifeline.org
• Crisis Text Line
  Text HOME to 741741
  Connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
  crisistextline.org
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788
  For those experiencing relationship abuse or needing a safety plan.
  thehotline.org

Support for LGBTQIA+ Individuals

• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth under 25)
  Call 1-866-488-7386
  Text START to 678678
  Chat online or learn more at: thetrevorproject.org
• Trans Lifeline (run by and for trans people)
  Call 877-565-8860
  Confidential peer support. Operators are trans-identifying and many are bilingual in English and Spanish.
  translifeline.org

Support for BIPOC Communities

• BlackLine (Black, Brown, Indigenous, and QTPOC-focused)
  Call or text 1-800-604-5841
  Offers peer support, listening, and crisis counseling from Black and BIPOC volunteers.
  callblackline.com
• The Steve Fund (Mental health support for young people of color)
  Text STEVE to 741741
  Connects young people of color with trained crisis counselors.
  stevefund.org

Epilepsy & Mental Health Support

• Epilepsy Reach Mental Health Services
  We offer individual therapy, family support, and community groups specifically designed for people affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders.
  💻 epilepsyreach.org
  📧 Email: info@epilepsyreach.org
• Epilepsy Foundation Helpline
  Call 1-800-332-1000
  Get connected to information, support, and resources tailored for those living with epilepsy.
  epilepsy.com

Mental Health Advocacy & Education

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
  Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “HelpLine” to 62640
  Offers education, support groups, and advocacy resources.
  nami.org

References

Kwon, O. Y., & Park, S. P. (2014). Depression and anxiety in people with epilepsy. Journal of Clinical Neurology, 10(3), 175–188. https://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2014.10.3.175

Ridsdale, L., Noble, A., Morgan, M., McCrone, P., Seed, P., & Taylor, S. J. (2020). Epilepsy care and mental health: The need for better integration. Epilepsy & Behavior, 103(Part B), 106473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106473

Scott, A. J., Sharpe, L., Hunt, C., & Gandy, M. (2017). Anxiety and depressive disorders in people with epilepsy: A meta-analysis. Epilepsia, 58(6), 973–982. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13769