Changing the Conversation About Epilepsy - E3 - Dr Anna Shapiro Krew

Mental health is an important, and often overlooked, part of living with epilepsy.In this episode of Changing the Conversation About Epilepsy, Empowering Epilepsy Founder and Executive Director Leigh Goldie talks with Dr. Anna Shapiro Krew, Director of the Epilepsy Psychiatry Center at Cleveland Clinic, about the connection between epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and overall mental health.They explore how epilepsy can affect mood both emotionally and biologically, why anxiety and depression are so common among people with epilepsy, and how the uncertainty of seizures can impact confidence, relationships, and everyday life. Dr. Shapiro Krew also discusses the importance of talking openly with your neurologist about mental health, advocating for yourself, and creating a collaborative approach to care.Most importantly, this conversation reinforces a powerful message: mental health is not separate from the epilepsy journey, it is an important part of treating the whole person.