Epilepsy is more than seizures: Epilepsy Awareness Month

News and Announcements, Patient Families | October 7, 2021 | cookchildrens

Cook Children's Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center continues the tradition of making November, Epilepsy Awareness Month, a priority each year as we aim to bring more attention to this common, yet rarely discussed condition. Epilepsy affects 1 in 26 people during their lifetime and 3.4 million people currently live with active epilepsy in the U.S. Throughout the month, landmarks across Fort Worth will light the skyline purple, the official color for epilepsy. In addition, the Neurosciences team has planned a number of initiatives to increase awareness and improve care for people with epilepsy.

Our theme this year is, “Epilepsy is more than seizures.” While seizures remain the primary manifestation of epilepsy, many people with this condition have a number of other comorbidities. For example, nearly 50 percent of people with epilepsy may have mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Epilepsy, particularly in the very young, is commonly associated with delays in development and learning as well as problems with behavior. There also are associations with sleep difficulties, mobility and feeding amongst others. The common overlap of neurological disorders such as epilepsy with these multiple comorbidities drives the collaboration between the departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuropsychology, Psychology, Psychiatry, and Developmental Pediatrics. This further provides comprehensive, easily accessible care to children with conditions of the nervous system.

Neurosciences grand rounds will welcome Madison Berl, Ph.D., a pediatric neuropsychologist from Children's National Neurosciences grand rounds will welcome Madison Berl, Ph.D., a pediatric neuropsychologist from Children's National in Washington, D.C., to discuss cognitive and behavioral comorbidities of epilepsy. Dr. Berl currently collaborates with M. Scott Perry, M.D., head of Neurosciences at Cook Children's, on a national database collecting data on children undergoing epilepsy surgery, specifically examining outcomes beyond seizure freedom.

Other activities throughout the month will include presentations at the annual Epilepsy Awareness Day Disneyland, an Other activities throughout the month will include presentations at the annual Epilepsy Awareness Day Disneyland, an Epilepsy Awareness Football game at Paschal High School in Fort Worth, and a variety of stories shared throughout the month via our social media channels. We invite everyone throughout the month and the entire year to raise awareness for the 1 in 26 living with epilepsy.

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M. Scott Perry, MD

Neurology

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Related programs

Neurosciences, Neurosurgery, Neuropsychology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Child Study Center

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Great outcomes begin with great input. Having a medical system where every department, doctor, and care team member works together means that your child can have quick access to testing, diagnosis and treatment, and that means better outcomes now and in the future.

Contact the Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center at Cook Children's to refer a patient or ask questions: 682-885-2500.