My Epilepsy Story

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For many of the 3.4 million people with epilepsy in the United States, the neurological disorder is just one of the health challenges they face daily. As many as 30% of adults living with epilepsy also suffer from a serious mental health condition such as severe depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. (source: CDC.gov)

My Epilepsy Story Letter From Brandy

Join Us!

The world today seems to be turned upside down, and anything can become or seem overwhelming. That’s why my Epilepsy Story is currently working to develop support groups for women and girls with Epilepsy, and we invite you to get involved and join us to ask questions or just listen to someone who understands.

If you are interested, please fill out the form, and an associate will be in touch with you. 

Stigma and Stereotypes Faced by Those Living with Epilepsy

People with epilepsy often experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions at higher rates than the general population. In fact, as many as 1 in 3 people with epilepsy will experience depression at some point in their lives, while many also suffer from severe anxiety.

Epilepsy and mental health are two complex conditions; alone, each can be difficult to manage. Combined, that difficulty is amplified and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Treatment for Mental Health Disorders is Important for People with Epilepsy

We should not hide the stories about mental health issues experienced by people with epilepsy. There is value in talking about it:

For many people with epilepsy, mental health issues are a very real and difficult part of their lives. Yet, for various reasons, these stories are often hidden away and not talked about as openly as they should be.

But there is value in talking about mental health issues experienced by people with epilepsy. It helps to break down the stigma and isolation that many people with epilepsy feel, and it can also help others who may be facing similar challenges to feel less alone.

If you are living with epilepsy and struggling with mental health issues, know that you are not alone. There is strength in sharing your story and speaking out about your experiences.

The Value of Talking About Your Mental Health

1. It’s important for people with epilepsy to seek treatment for mental health disorders in order to improve their quality of life.

2. Mental health disorders can be a major contributor to seizure activity, and treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

3. Mental health disorders can impact every aspect of a person’s life, from relationships to job performance. Treatment can help people with epilepsy live happier, more productive lives. 

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your mental health. Your doctor can help you manage your mental health problems and prevent them from worsening. Your epileptologist can also help you manage your epilepsy and reduce your risk of having seizures.

More Groups and Services

Get Involved

Become an MES Ambassador

Becoming an MES Ambassador is all about raising awareness for women and girls living with epilepsy. Do you or a loved one suffer from seizures? If so, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved in the epilepsy community and help enact change through Advocacy, Research, and Education for these valiant females. We welcome women or girls with seizures, their family members, and those who have lost wives, daughters, or sisters (and more) to epilepsy. 

If you are interested, please get in touch with us or donate today!

Interested? Let Us Know Below

MES Ambassadors
Find A Doctor My Epilepsy Story

Find A Doctor

My Epilepsy Story is excited to share with you a group of amazing doctors that have an interest in women’s health related to epilepsy.  Below, you will find a list of doctors for women and girls diagnosed with epilepsy. 

Nutrition and Wellness

My Epilepsy Story offers exercise and nutrition advice so that you can be your healthiest self!

From exercise routines to weekly meal preps, MES Health & Wellness can help you get in shape and nourish your body from the inside out. Check out our articles for advice!

Interested? Let Us Know Below

Health and Wellness for Women with Epilepsy

Educational Services

Educational Services

My Epilepsy Story is proud to offer educational services: Kindergarten through College! 

We offer assistance with IEPs, 504s, Accommodations in the Classroom, Vocational Rehabilitation, Transitioning from High School to College, and College Advisement.

Please contact our Education Director, James R. McFadden, II M.Ed. to discuss your child’s needs in the “Kindergarten through College” educational setting.

Phone: (615) 822-4224 
Email: [email protected]

We want to hear from you!

We’re an open door, as a resource for women and girls diagnosed epilepsy.

Message Us

We want to hear from you! We’re an open door, as a resource for women and girls diagnosed epilepsy.
Call Us (615) 822-4224

We are an International, non-profit organization that serves to bridge the gap for women and girls diagnosed with epilepsy.

Disclaimer: Education materials on our website offer general medical information based on up-to-date evidence and, when available, practice guidelines. They are not intended for individual medical advice. Please refer to your treating physician to understand how this information may be applied to your care.

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Receive valuable content and personal stories from other women and children just like yourself.

We are an International, non-profit organization that serves to bridge the gap for women and girls diagnosed with epilepsy.

Stay Updated

Receive valuable content and personal stories from other women and girls just like yourself.

Disclaimer: Education materials on our website offer general medical information based on up-to-date evidence and, when available, practice guidelines. They are not intended for individual medical advice. Please refer to your treating physician to understand how this information may be applied to your care.

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2024

© All rights reserved. My Epilepsy Story

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Adult Neurologists

Jennifer DeWolfe, DO
UAB Epilepsy
1802 6th Ave South
Birmingham, AL  35233
(205) 934-3866

David Labiner, MD
University of Arizona
1501 North Campbell Ave
Tucson, AZ  85724
(520) 694-8888

Kimford Meador, MD
Stanford Neuroscience Health Center
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto, CA  94304
(650) 723-6469

Laura Kalayjian, MD
Keck School Medicine of USC
1520 San Pablo St., Suite 3000
Los Angeles, CA  90033
(323) 442-5710

Christianne Heck, MD, MMM
Keck School Medicine of USC
1520 San Pablo St., Suite 3000
Los Angeles, CA  90033
(323) 442-5710

Naveed Chaudry, M.D.
University of Colorado Anschutz
1635 Aurora Ct., AOP Ste 4500
Aurora, CO 80045
(720) 848-2080

Anumeha Sheth, MD                                    Hartford HealthCare, CT

Office locations:                                                 The Ayer Neuroscience Institute Seizure and Epilepsy Clinic
462 Queen Street Suite 201
Southington, CT 06489                              Phone: 860.972.3600                                              Fax: 860.276.0054

The Ayer Neuroscience Institute Seizure and Epilepsy Clinic at Hartford Hospital
85 Seymour Street Suite 815
Hartford, CT 06106
Medical Office Building                        Phone:860.972.3600                                         Fax: 860.545.5003

 

Naymee Velez-Ruiz, MD
University of Miami Health System
1150 North West 14th Street, Suite 609
Miami, FL  33136
(305) 243-3100

Evan Gedzelman, MD
Emory Brain Health Center
12 Executive Park Dr., Suite 400
Atlanta, GA  30329
404-778-3444

Jessica Carter, MD
Savannah Neurology Specialists
6602 Waters Ave., #C
Savannah, GA  31406
(913) 547-6760

Elizabeth Gerard, MD
Northwest Medicine
675 North St. Claire Street, Galter Pavilion
Chicago, IL  60611
(312) 695-7950

Anna Serafini, M.D
Epilepsy Section Chief
Director Epilepsy
Monitoring Unit
Associate Professor of Neurology Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation
University of Illinois at Chicago
912 S. Wood St,
Chicago, IL USA 60612
(312) 355-0807

Alexa King, MD
259 E Erie St.
Chicago IL 60614 
(312) 695-7950

Joshua Martin, MD
Indiana University School of Medicine
Neurology
355 West 16th St, suite 3200
Indianapolis, IN  46202
(317) 948-5450

Sally V. Mathias, MD
University of Kentucky
Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
740 S Limestone St., Neurology-J 401
Lexington, KY 40509
Clinic number: 859-323-5661

Gregory Mathews, MD, PhD
The Brain Health Center of Maryland
1400 Forest Glen Road, Suite 225
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 456-5810

Emily Johnson, MD
Johns Hopkins Epilepsy Center
301 Mason Lord Drive
Baltimore, MD  21224
(410) 550-2339

Deepti Zutshi, MD
Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Detroit Medical Center
Wayne State University School of Medicine
4201 St. Antoine, UHC-8D
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 745-4275

Megan Margiotta, MD
Department of Neurology
University of Maryland Medical Center
110 S. Paca St, 3S-131
Baltimore, MD 21201
Appointment Line: 410-328-4323

 

P. Emanuela Voinescu, MD, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Neurosciences Center
60 Fernwood Rd.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 732-7432

Gregory Barkley, MD
Henry Ford Health System
2799 W. Grand Blvd
Detroit, MI  48202
(800) 436-7936

Amanda Weber, DO
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Garden Level
3950 Beaubien Blvd.
Detroit, MI  48201
(313) 832-9620

Julie Hanna, MD
Minnesota Epilepsy Group
225 Smith Ave, North, Suite 201
St. Paul, MN  55102
(651) 241-5290

Patricia Penovich, MD
Minnesota Epilepsy Group
225 Smith Ave, North, Suite 201
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 241-5290

Jacqueline French, MD
NYU Langone Health
223 East 34th St.
New York, NY  10016
(646) 558-0868

Cynthia Harden, MD
Mount Sinai
10 Union Square East, Suite 5D
New York, NY  10003
(212) 844-8888

Alison Pack, MD
Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
710 W. 168th St. #719
New York, NY  10032
(212) 305-1742

Sean Hwang, MD
Northwell Health
611 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY  11021
(516) 325-7000

Fred Lado, MD
Northwell Health
611 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY  11021
(516) 325-7000

Scott Stevens, MD
Northwell Health
611 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY  11021
(516) 325-7000

Steven Pacia, MD
Northwell Health
611 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY  11021
(516) 325-7000

Ruben Kuzniecky, MD
Northwell Health
611 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY  11021
(516) 325-7000

Chetan Malpe, MD
Northwell Health
611 Northern Blvd.
Great Neck, NY  11021
(516) 325-7000

Maria Sam, MD
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Medical Center Blvd
Janeway Tower 4th Floor
Winston-Salem, NC  27157
(336) 716-4101
 
Prachi T. Parikh, MD
Duke University Medical Center,
40 Duke Circle Drive,
Durham, NC-27710
(919) 681-1700
 
Suzette LaRoche, MD
UNC Neurology
Chapel Hill, NC
(984) 974-4401
*Virtual Visits Only

Jennifer Cavitt, MD
University of Cincinnati Epilepsy Center
222 Piedmont Ave., Suite 3200
Cincinnati, OH 45219
(513) 475-8730

Michael Privitera, MD
University of Cincinnati Epilepsy Center
222 Piedmont Ave., Suite 3200
Cincinnati, OH 45219
(513) 475-8730

Sarita Maturu, DO
The Ohio State
Wexner Medical Center
395 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, OH  43220
(614) 293-4969

Sheri Hart, MD
Mount Carmel Neurology St. Ann’s
495 Cooper Road
Westerville, OH  43081
(614) 882-2581

Dr. Elise Berlan
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Division of Adolescent Medicine
380 Butterfly Garden’s Drive
Columbus OH 43215
To schedule: (614) 722-6200

Anto Bagic, MD, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Kaufmann Medical Building
3471 5th Ave., Suite 810
Pittsburgh, PA  15213
(412) 692-4920
 
Paul McCabe, MD
1800 Mulberry Street
Scranton, PA  18510
(717) 791-2520
 
Page Pennell
8th floor, Kaufmann Medical
Building 3471 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 692-4920

 

Andre Lagrange, MD
Vanderbilt Medical Center
1301 Medical Center Dr.
Nashville, TN  37212
(615) 936-0060

Lu Lin, MD, PhD
Baylor Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Baylor College of Medicine
7200 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 798-2273

John Miller, MD, PhD
UW Medicine
Harborview Medical Center/Epilepsy Center
325 9th Ave., 4th Floor West Clinic
Seattle, WA  98104
(206) 520-5000
 
Behnaz Esmaeili, MD
University of Washington
Department of Neurology/Epilepsy
325 9th Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone (206) 744-3576
Fax (206) 744-4409
Gholam Motamedi, MD
Georgetown University Hospital 
Department of Neurology, PHC7 
3800 Reservoir Rd., NW
Washington, DC  20007
(202) 444-1763
 
Tricia Ting, MD
Georgetown University Hospital 
Department of Neurology, PHC7
3800 Reservoir Rd, NW
Washington, DC  20007
(202) 444-8525
 
Mohamad Koubeissi, MD
GW Medical Associates
Foggy Bottom South Pavilion
22nd and I Street, NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC  20037
(202) 741-2700

Pediatric Neurologists

Suzanne Strickland, MD
Pediatric Partners
411 Town Park Blvd
Evans, GA  30809
(706) 854-2500

Gregory Barnes, MD, PhD
University of Louisville
601 S. Floyd St., Suite 500
Louisville, KY  40202
(502) 588-3650

Gregory Mathews, MD, PhD
The Brain Health Center of Maryland
1400 Forest Glen Road, Suite 225
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 456-5810

Sonal Patel, MD
Magnificent Minds Neurology Center
(301) 652-6800

Amanda Weber, DO
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Garden Level
3950 Beaubien Blvd.
Detroit, MI  48201
(313) 832-9620

Anup Patel, MD
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH  43205
(614) 722-4625

Jaime Twanow, MD
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH  43205
(614) 722-4625

Dara Albert, DO
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH  43205
(614) 722-4625

Neil Kulkarni MD
Pediatric Neurophysiology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Assistant Professor at Ohio State University
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205-2264
(614) 722-4625

Anup D. Patel, MD
Medical Director Complex Epilepsy Clinic
Nationwide Children’s
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-4625

Sylvia Edelstein, MD
Children’s Hospital 
 

OB / GYN's

Evan Gedzelman, MD
Emory Brain Health Center
12 Executive Park Dr., Suite 400
Atlanta, GA  30329
404-778-3444

Jessica Carter, MD
Savannah Neurology Specialists
6602 Waters Ave., #C
Savannah, GA  31406
(913) 547-6760

Thomas McElrath, MD, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
75 St. Francis St.
Boston, MA  02115
(617) 732-4980

Caryn Dutton, MD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
75 St. Francis St.
Boston, MA  02115
(617) 732-5500

Anne Davis, MD
Columbia University Medical Center
1790 Broadway
New York, NY  10019
(212) 305-9368
 
Jessica Jacob, MD
3003 New Hyde Park Road Suite 407
New Hyde Park, NY  11042
(516) 488-8145
 
Susan Scavo, MD
877 Stewart Ave, Suite 7
Garden City, NY  11530
(516) 747-0105
Elise D. Berlan, MD, MPH
(Adolescent Medicine)
Nationwide Children’s Health
700 Children’s Dr.
Columbus, OH  43205
(614) 722-2458
Sharon Norman, MD
WOMEN Obstetrics & Gynecology
300 20th Ave North, Suite 505
Nashville, TN  37203
(615) 340-4655

International

Dr Kaitlyn Parratt

MBBS (Hons 1) FRACP Neurology

Neurologist and Epileptologist

Staff Specialist Neurologist

Comprehensive Epilepsy Service

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Sydney 2050

[email protected]

 and/or

Consultant Neurologist

Sharp Neurology Pty Ltd

480 Pacific Highway 

St Leonard 2065

[email protected]

Dr. Esther Bui, Assistant Professor

Toronto Western Hospital

Krembil Brain Institute, University of Toronto

Tel (416) 603-5320

Fax (416) 603-5768

Dr. Sanjeev V Thomas
Director, Institute for communicative and cognitive neurosciences
Trivandrum, Kerala State, India; Pin 695011.

Phone +91 (471) 244-7729

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