I know this is a somewhat old thread but I came to it from google searching possible links between temporal lobe epilepsy and bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy at the age of 12 (a time when I was dealing with suicidal thoughts, which I told noone about and which in adulthood I put down to a challenging family situation and a mother with an undiagnosed mental condition who lashed out regularly). I started out having petit mal seizures and progressed into grand mal seizures. At the age of 28 I weaned myself off medication and never had a seizure again.
I remember the family doctor telling my parents when I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy that they were lucky that I was as 'functional' as I was, because temporal lobe epilepsy can present in challenging ways, causing behavioural issues and emotional disturbance, which given that I was secretly having suicidal thoughts was in hindsight interesting. I was a Grade A student all the way through school and it was actually my brother who caused most concern behaviourly, I was rarely much trouble, I was the arty one who was happy with a pen and paper for hours, in my own world. I preferred the company of my dog or being alone to be honest.
I have just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and when I look back I realise that this was something I dealt with for most of my life. I believe there may be an inherited element to my condition, my mother never dealt with her inability to control her anger and rage, although when the black clouds parted she was a decent, down to earth and funny person, with qualities I admired and try to emulate in myself today. Her illness wasn't spoken about and I just dealt with it as best I could.
From being on anticonvulsant medication as a child and young adult, I now find myself coming full circle back on to them. When I am cycling between highs and lows it feels connected to epilepsy and my childhood. Cause and effect? Did an emotionally abusive childhood lead me into this condition, were there hereditary factors involved, was epilepsy (which was also in my family) a precursor to bipolar. I believe it's all somehow related.
Perhaps the potential link between epilepsy and bipolar deserves further study so that those who are diagnosed with epilepsy, in particular temporal lobe, can be made aware that bipolar disorder could be something they need to manage and to be on the look out for it. Had I known years ago, I may have avoided a lot of struggle throughout my life as I could have built the support structure around myself to deal with it.....I am very much interested in what others may have experienced in relation to this subject?.....Tanya
