A new study has added to evidence that UK carers to children with epilepsy experience high levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
UK researchers set out to find out what the quality of life is like for carers to children with epilepsy, both physically and mentally.
Study author Sasha Coates and colleagues investigated quality of life, sleep, mental health and resilience in a group of 127 caregivers – almost all of whom were female.
Nearly three quarters (73%) of people reported high levels of sleep problems. More than two-thirds of people reported stress (68%) and depression (67%), and 61% reported high levels of anxiety.
While physical health-related quality of life was in line with the general population, people’s mental health was especially affected by having more sleep difficulties, lower resilience and if the person’s child themselves had a lower quality of life.
The researchers suggest that future research focus on methods to reduce the factors most impacting mental health-based quality of life.
More information on the study, published in Epilepsy & Behavior, is available online.
Support from Epilepsy Action
Epilepsy Action has a range of resources that can offer advice and information around epilepsy and help reduce some stresses for parents of children with epilepsy.
- The ‘Your child and epilepsy’ course can help answer some questions, offer some information and advice about living well with epilepsy
- You can attend a virtual parents and carers support group and get the chance to speak to and hear from others in a similar situation and understand what you’re going through
- Get in touch with Epilepsy Action’s free helpline for advice, support and information on living well with epilepsy
- Epilepsy Action’s 1:1 Peer Support service can match you with a trained volunteer to have regular calls if you just need someone to talk to
Support for parents
Discover resources to help keep your child safe, find out more about epilepsy and get the support that you need.