Personality changes can be both one of the direct consequences, and one of the signs of epilepsy - a disease characterized by the occurrence of seizures. Convulsions and associated unpleasant, even painful symptoms - not the most serious consequence of epilepsy. Sometimes a person is much more difficult to endure the psychological and emotional consequences of the disease, leading to a change in personality. And in some cases indirect "perpetrators" personality change in epilepsy may become a drug used to control and prevent seizures (epileptic drugs).

Changes in personality: risk factors

Some behavioral changes induced epilepsy Epilepsy - a sacred disease Unavoidable due to the sudden and acute seizures. However, a great importance in the development, exacerbating personality changes caused by epilepsy are, primarily, risk factors. Among them:

• Low socio-economic status
• Low levels of education
• The lack of moral support from others and, above all, the family (a direct consequence of such factors - low self-esteem, impairment of sociability, other personality and behavioral changes)
• The attitude to the disease of the patient (medical studies have proven that a positive attitude to the disease significantly reduces the risk of personality changes - in particular, in children and adolescents)
• Health: According to statistics, if the background of epilepsy developing any neurological disorder, personality changes and behavioral disturbances are observed more often (especially in children). For example, epilepsy in combination with any mental disorder almost inevitably leads to significant mental retardation in children.

Interictal dysphoric disorder

Interictal dysphoric disorder - one of the most common manifestations of an epileptic personality changes, characteristic, primarily with long duration of disease. In general, the concept of "dysphoria" means a loss of the ability to enjoy, to have fun. In terms of symptoms dysphoric disorder, often prelude to another attack of epilepsy, like depressive disorder: Patients with epilepsy may experience episodes of irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Anxiety, headaches, insomnia, depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood . The duration of one episode dysphoric disorder can range from a few hours and days to several months, intermittent episodes of euphoric state.

Type of epilepsy and personality change

Last but not least the specificity of personality change depends on the character and severity of the disease: influence the appearance of any type of personal change can be seizures, epileptic focus location, the age at which began seizures taken anticonvulsants. For example, studies have shown that affective disorders (mental disorder associated with disturbances in the emotional sphere) are more frequently observed in cases where the epilepsy began to develop in adulthood. But in children and adolescents in early-onset epilepsy is much more common is much more severe, negative personality change - anti-social, aggressive behavior, anxiety disorders.

One of the main theories that consider the probability and specificity of personality change in epilepsy, is based on the communication of such changes with foci of epilepsy. Thus, it is believed that with the defeat of the left hemisphere of the brain is accompanied by epilepsy hypochondriac, depressive personality changes: resentment, suspicion, anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease? , Prone to prolonged episodes of depression. For cases of epileptic lesions characteristic of the right hemisphere of the brain, on the contrary, personality changes, aggressive character: irritability, aggressiveness, emotional irritability, impulsivity, conflict in relationships with others.

Fluoxetine - a drug which has an active effect on the central nervous system (CNS). Not less impact on the central nervous system and has an alcohol, so welcome to combine these two substances can not. But in the treatment of chronic alcoholism fluoxetine used.

Why not combine with alcohol fluoxetine

The action of fluoxetine is based on the fact that it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin at synapses of the nerve cells (neurons), and thus increases the amount of serotonin. Serotonin (called the hormone of happiness) is a biologically active substance that acts as a neurotransmitter, that is, transmits nerve impulses from neuron to. He is able to significantly improve mood, provide a stimulating effect on the central nervous system and suppress hunger. Side effects of this drug is the appearance of shortness of breath.

Alcohol in its initial stages as a stimulant effect on the central nervous system are the most sensitive to his brain cells by acting on it causes a characteristic alcoholic excitement associated with the weakening of inhibitory processes. The next stage of intoxication is the weakening of excitation in the cerebral cortex, the oppression of the spinal cord and the medulla oblongata with the suppression of the respiratory center. Alcohol blocks serotonin disintegration, which leads to an increase of its content in the body. But with regular admission of alcohol decreases the amount of serotonin.

At the same time taking fluoxetine and alcohol may occur sudden increase in the amount of serotonin in the blood, leading to the development of serotonergic syndrome: there is a pronounced stimulation, turning into confusion, restlessness, shivering, trembling of the hands, the feet, the whole body, diarrhea and other unpleasant symptoms . In severe cases, this condition can go into a coma and cause death of a person. Especially dangerous is the simultaneous effect of fluoxetine and alcohol on the respiratory center - the center of the depression may lead to respiratory arrest.

Fluoxetine in the treatment of patients with chronic alcoholism

If fluoxetine can not be combined with alcohol, in the treatment of alcohol dependence or alcoholism, this drug is used widely. The reason is that the systematic use of alcohol decreases the amount of serotonin.

In addition, some researchers believe that patients with alcohol dependence Alcohol addiction - for no reason, no reason not arise   natural serotonin levels initially reduced. And these people intuitively raise this level with the help of alcohol, that first gives its effect, but eventually leads to further reduction in the amount of serotonin in the blood, the formation of high anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease?   and depression.

The use of fluoxetine can significantly improve the course of chronic alcoholism. It will increase the amount of serotonin in the brain that relieve depression, anxiety, mood, and hence the need to fix this mood with the help of alcohol. Serotonin is also able to reduce the body's sensitivity to pain, and during the separation of the patient with chronic alcoholism develop alcohol hangover (withdrawal syndrome), which is accompanied by severe headache, abdominal pain, joint and muscle pain and so on. Serotonin is able to reduce these pain.

As prescribed fluoxetine in chronic alcoholism

This drug can be administered only when the patient is sober. It is administered, for relief of hangover syndrome and during elective treatment of alcoholism in order to reduce psychological dependence on alcohol.

Treatment with fluoxetine long course of treatment is usually designed for several weeks. Expressed effect of this drug is only two to four weeks after the beginning of reception. But in any case, the daily dose of fluoxetine and its duration is determined by the receiving physician.

Independently, patients taking this drug can not be, as it has many contraindications and side effects. A chronic alcoholics do not always have a good health. In most cases, they simply do not notice that something sick when drinking alcohol. However, during treatment and forced sobriety all chronic diseases always "get out" on the surface.

Fluoxetine should not be used at elevated intraocular pressure, severe kidney disease, bladder atony Urinary bladder - structure and function , Prostate cancer, convulsions, pregnancy, breast- Breastfeeding - a personal choice   feeding, individual intolerance.

With care prescribe fluoxetine in hepatic dysfunction (as in chronic alcoholism liver is often affected), cardiovascular diseases. Some diseases require correction of the dose.

Fluoxetine is not combined with alcohol, but will help to cope with chronic alcoholism.

Galina Romanenko