Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEmotionalPhysicalSocialPracticalFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Epilepsy GuideWhat Is Epilepsy?
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Table of Contents
Emotional
Physical
Social
Practical
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Epilepsy Guide
Learning how to cope withepilepsyis just as important as treating it. Havingepilepsy will affectyour daily life to some degree, and being aware of things like its emotional impact, work challenges, safety concerns, and more can help you better manage your condition and everyday living. Everyone copes differently and may have varying levels of needs. Use these strategies to figure out what’s best for you and enlist the help of others as you work to employ them.
Being diagnosed with epilepsy can be devastating because of the altered road you know is ahead. Not only does this condition affect you physically through seizures, but it can also affect you emotionally, leading to feelings of grief, sadness, or even anger.
While it might be tempting to avoid learning about your epilepsy, learning about the causes of your condition, as well as thetreatmentsyour healthcare provider prescribes for you, can be very empowering. It also helps to be able to separate the facts from the myths and misconceptions that you may have heard about epilepsy. Verywell and theEpilepsy Foundation’s websiteare great places to start.
Depression is estimated to affectone in threepeople with epilepsy at some point in their lives. If you notice symptoms of clinical depression and/or anxiety in yourself or your child with epilepsy, talk to your healthcare provider.
Treatment for depression can help and improve your quality of life tremendously. It may also be helpful to keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts can help you sort out your feelings.
Epilepsy can be a bumpy journey, and it’s important that you have a healthcare provider you’re comfortable with and who understands the emotional highs and lows you’ll experience.
If you can’t say that about yours, it might be time to find a new one. You are likely going to see this person quite often for the foreseeable future, so make sure it’s someone you can trust and openly communicate with.
Being able to discuss your concerns and progress with your healthcare provider will help you both in finding the best treatment for your epilepsy and leave you feeling more confident. You can use our Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide below to help start that conversation.
Epilepsy Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Epilepsy may affect physical aspects of your life such as sleep and exercise. Certain habits can help lessen the physical impact.
Take Your Medications As Directed
The medications you take to control your seizures are vital to your treatment. It’s important that you never skip a dose because this could mean a loss of control over your seizures. Likewise, you should never stop taking your medication altogether without your healthcare provider’s approval and supervision, as this can lead to serious complications and even death.
If theside effects from your medicationbecome very bothersome, or your prescription is not controlling your seizures completely, discuss this with your healthcare provider. He or she may decide to change your dose, change the medication, or add another drug or treatment to your regimen.
Since strict adherence to your medication regimen is an absolute necessity, it may be helpful to keep these tips in mind:
Having Surgery?If you’re having surgery and are told to fast ahead of time, you should still take your seizure medications, with a small sip of water, unless your neurologist tells you otherwise. Be sure the surgical team knows about your epilepsy and that your neurologist knows about the surgery.
Having Surgery?
If you’re having surgery and are told to fast ahead of time, you should still take your seizure medications, with a small sip of water, unless your neurologist tells you otherwise. Be sure the surgical team knows about your epilepsy and that your neurologist knows about the surgery.
Get Enough Sleep
For many people, sleep deprivation is a significant seizure trigger.The amount and quality of sleep that you get can affect your seizure length, frequency, timing, and occurrence. Because of this, it’s important to prioritize your sleep and to work to make sure it’s as high quality as possible.
If you have seizures at night, they may cause you to wake up frequently and only get fragmented light sleep. This can result in daytime sleepiness. Talk to your healthcare provider if your seizures are causing you to lose sleep as this can result in more seizures overall.
Some medications to prevent seizures can cause side effects like drowsiness, insomnia, or difficulty falling or staying asleep. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about this as well if these sleep disturbances are severe or don’t go away. You may be able to try a different medication instead.
Natural Treatment Options for Epilepsy
Don’t Rule Out Sports and Activities
In the past, people with epilepsy often weren’t allowed to participate in sports. But exercise is beneficial for epilepsy, so staying active should be encouraged. Choosing activities wisely, however, is important.
The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) provides guidelines healthcare providers can use to recommend physical activity for people of all ages with epilepsy.
Different types of exercise, activities, and sports are divided into three categories based on risk.If you have epilepsy, your healthcare provider will recommend physical activity based on the type of seizure you have and how often they occur.
Talk to your healthcare provider about what activities and sports are right for you and your condition, and be sure to have an open conversation with coaches about your situation and safety measures, should you have a seizure while participating.
Long-Term Epilepsy Prognosis
Interacting with others who also have epilepsy can not only help you cope with your epilepsy, it may also help you to manage it too. Getting tips, advice, and hearing about others' experiences can also make you feel less isolated and alone.
There aresupport groupsthat meet face-to-face, but there are also manyonline forumsthat are specifically dedicated to individuals suffering from epilepsy. The Epilepsy Foundation has community forums, a chat room, and a 24/7 helpline to answer questions. You can also contact yourlocal Epilepsy Foundationaffiliate, which is a wonderful resource for information, support, and education.
Your loved ones are also important allies. Talking to your friends and family about epilepsy paves the way to understanding and acceptance both for you and for them. Let them know what happens during your seizures, what constitutes an emergency, and how this diagnosis makes you feel.
Coping With Epilepsy
You may want to consider telling your co-workers about your diagnosis and how to handle a seizure as well. Being prepared for a situation in which you have a seizure, especially if it turns into an emergency situation, will help you all feel less anxious.
Here’s a general list of what to do when someone has a seizure—advice you can share with those you spend significant amounts of time with:
First Aid for Epilepsy Seizures
There are all sorts ofpractical aspects to think aboutwhen it comes to coping with epilepsy.
Screen Time
Video games, computers, tablets, and smartphones are a big part of our culture, you may be worried about the fast-moving images and flashing or bright lights causing seizures, especially if it’s your child who has epilepsy.
Flashing or bright lights can trigger seizures, but it only occurs in about 3 percent of people with epilepsy.
For people who have photosensitive epilepsy, it usually takes the right combination of specific factors to cause a seizure: a certain level of brightness, the speed of light flashing, the wavelength of light, distance from the light, and the contrast between the background and the light source.
Exposure to these stimuli doesn’t cause photosensitive epilepsy to develop. Either someone has this sensitivity or they don’t.
School
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 470,000 children in the United States have epilepsy.This means that a large number of school districts around the country have or have had some students with epilepsy enrolled at some point. However, every person’s epilepsy is different.
As a parent, it’s your job to advocate for your child’s needs. In order to do that, you need to understand what those needs are and what options are available to your child at school. The Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) was written to help both parents and students find support.
Because epilepsy often occurs with conditions such asautism, learning disabilities, or mood disorders, each child faces unique challenges. In a school setting, a child’s needs fall under three categories, including:
Medical
Your child may need help managing seizure medications and/or a special diet, as well as someone to respond to seizures should they occur at school. If there’s a school nurse, he or she will be your source and need to be kept in the know about everything related to your child’s case, from potential medication side effects to stressors that may trigger a seizure.
Your child’s teachers may also need to be trained in handling a seizure. Talking to the school administration, the school nurse, and your child’s educators about aseizure response planbefore school starts for the year is a good idea.
Academic
Even if your child doesn’t have any learning difficulties, epilepsy can affect attention and memory.Seizures can interfere with your child’s ability to take notes, pay attention, or participate in class, and seizure medications can make your child sleepy or foggy. These issues should be discussed before school starts as well.
Your child may need to be on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan, both of which will be designed to meet his or her specific needs.You can read more about the rights your child has to receive a wide range of services and support at school in a comprehensive and thoroughmanual from the Epilepsy Foundation.
Social Needs
Children with epilepsy sometimes face significant social challenges, either because of epilepsy itself or coexisting conditions like mood disorders or autism. Peers may not understand epilepsy and be afraid of it. Participating in certain activities may not be possible because of medical needs.
Home Safety
When you have epilepsy, especially if you have difficulty managing it, it’s important to think about making your home a safe place in the event that you have a seizure. The kind of modifications you make will depend on what kind of seizures you have, how often you have them, whether or not they’re controlled, and possibly your age.
Here are some tips to help make your home and daily activities safer:
Tips for Traveling Safely With Epilepsy
Memory Issues
It’s also a good idea to write down anything and everything that has to do with your epilepsy, from symptoms to feelings to experiences. This can help you and your healthcare provider identifyseizure triggersand track your progress.
Foods to Avoid With Epilepsy: Diet and Seizures
Work Matters
Despite the many treatment options that are available to help manageseizures, you may be afraid that you’ll have problems getting a job or keeping one—even when yourseizures are well managed. However, studies show that people with epilepsy who are employed have a better quality of life, so there’s good incentive to get and keep a job.
It’s a myth that if you have epilepsy, you’re less capable than others when it comes to job performance. People with epilepsy perform well in many job fields, including high offices.
Discrimination
There are federal and state laws in place that are designed to preventemployersfrom discriminating against individuals with epilepsy. One of these laws, theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibits discrimination against individuals with any type of disability.
For example, employers are forbidden to ask whether you have epilepsy or any other medical condition before a job offer is made, and you’re not required to disclose your condition during that process. Employers can ask about your health status and may even require a medical exam following a job offer, but they must treat all applicants equally.
There are some good reasons to disclose your epilepsy to your employer, and there are also some good reasons not to. This is a personal decision, not a requirement.
If your job requires a urine drug screening test, be aware that if you take anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital to treat epilepsy, these medications can produce positive test results.
Special Accommodations
If you have epilepsy, there are no special accommodations needed while you’re on the job. However, just as with anychronic health condition, taking your medications and taking care of yourself and your overall health is crucial. If you have a very demanding job that requires you to work long hours or different shifts, make sure that you get enough sleep and that you don’t skip any doses of your medication.
Safety
Job safety is also important, especially if your seizures are not fully controlled. There are many small adjustments that you can make so that your work environment is safer in the event a seizure occurs while you are on the job. You can also look into working from home instead.
Safety requirements for positions where you must drive vary from state to state.If you have epilepsy, some states might require you to be seizure-free for a certain period of timebefore you’re allowed to drive, whereas others may require the approval of a healthcare provider.
Causes and Risk Factors of Epilepsy
Frequently Asked QuestionsAsk your healthcare provider to make sure. Small amounts may be OK, but many people with epilepsy are at risk for seizures if they drink three or more alcoholic drinks in a day. Seizure medications can also decrease your tolerance for alcohol.Learn MoreEpilepsy and AlcoholIf your epilepsy isn’t well controlled with medication, your healthcare provider may suggest trying aketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that may help to control seizures. The ketogenic diet requires specific measurements of calories, proteins, and fluid and can be hard to follow. Before trying the diet, you should get a healthcare provider’s approval and guidance from a dietitian to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.Learn MoreFoods to Avoid With Epilepsy
Ask your healthcare provider to make sure. Small amounts may be OK, but many people with epilepsy are at risk for seizures if they drink three or more alcoholic drinks in a day. Seizure medications can also decrease your tolerance for alcohol.Learn MoreEpilepsy and Alcohol
Ask your healthcare provider to make sure. Small amounts may be OK, but many people with epilepsy are at risk for seizures if they drink three or more alcoholic drinks in a day. Seizure medications can also decrease your tolerance for alcohol.
Learn MoreEpilepsy and Alcohol
If your epilepsy isn’t well controlled with medication, your healthcare provider may suggest trying aketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that may help to control seizures. The ketogenic diet requires specific measurements of calories, proteins, and fluid and can be hard to follow. Before trying the diet, you should get a healthcare provider’s approval and guidance from a dietitian to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.Learn MoreFoods to Avoid With Epilepsy
If your epilepsy isn’t well controlled with medication, your healthcare provider may suggest trying aketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that may help to control seizures. The ketogenic diet requires specific measurements of calories, proteins, and fluid and can be hard to follow. Before trying the diet, you should get a healthcare provider’s approval and guidance from a dietitian to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
Learn MoreFoods to Avoid With Epilepsy
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Epilepsy and seizures.Epilepsy Society.Just diagnosed.Capovilla G, Kaufman KR, Perucca E, Moshe SL, Arida RM.Epilepsy, seizures, physical exercise, and sports: A report from the ILAE task force on sports and epilepsy.Epilepsia. 2016;57(1):6-12. doi:10.1111/epi.13261Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.Photosensitivity and seizures.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epilepsy facts and stats.U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Epilepsy in the workplace and the ADA.Epilepsy Foundation.Preparing for back to school success.Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosing and treating memory problems.Ashjazadeh N, Yadollahikhales G, Ayoobzadehshirazi A, Sadraii N, Hadi N.Comparison of the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with partial and generalized seizure.Iran J Neurol. 13(2):94-100.Epilepsy Foundation.Driving laws.Epilepsy Foundation.Alcohol as a seizure trigger.Epilepsy Foundation.Ketogenic diet.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Epilepsy and seizures.Epilepsy Society.Just diagnosed.Capovilla G, Kaufman KR, Perucca E, Moshe SL, Arida RM.Epilepsy, seizures, physical exercise, and sports: A report from the ILAE task force on sports and epilepsy.Epilepsia. 2016;57(1):6-12. doi:10.1111/epi.13261Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.Photosensitivity and seizures.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epilepsy facts and stats.U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Epilepsy in the workplace and the ADA.Epilepsy Foundation.Preparing for back to school success.Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosing and treating memory problems.Ashjazadeh N, Yadollahikhales G, Ayoobzadehshirazi A, Sadraii N, Hadi N.Comparison of the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with partial and generalized seizure.Iran J Neurol. 13(2):94-100.Epilepsy Foundation.Driving laws.Epilepsy Foundation.Alcohol as a seizure trigger.Epilepsy Foundation.Ketogenic diet.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Epilepsy and seizures.Epilepsy Society.Just diagnosed.Capovilla G, Kaufman KR, Perucca E, Moshe SL, Arida RM.Epilepsy, seizures, physical exercise, and sports: A report from the ILAE task force on sports and epilepsy.Epilepsia. 2016;57(1):6-12. doi:10.1111/epi.13261Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.Photosensitivity and seizures.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epilepsy facts and stats.U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Epilepsy in the workplace and the ADA.Epilepsy Foundation.Preparing for back to school success.Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosing and treating memory problems.Ashjazadeh N, Yadollahikhales G, Ayoobzadehshirazi A, Sadraii N, Hadi N.Comparison of the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with partial and generalized seizure.Iran J Neurol. 13(2):94-100.Epilepsy Foundation.Driving laws.Epilepsy Foundation.Alcohol as a seizure trigger.Epilepsy Foundation.Ketogenic diet.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Epilepsy and seizures.
Epilepsy Society.Just diagnosed.
Capovilla G, Kaufman KR, Perucca E, Moshe SL, Arida RM.Epilepsy, seizures, physical exercise, and sports: A report from the ILAE task force on sports and epilepsy.Epilepsia. 2016;57(1):6-12. doi:10.1111/epi.13261
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.First aid for seizures.
Epilepsy Foundation.Photosensitivity and seizures.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Epilepsy facts and stats.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Epilepsy in the workplace and the ADA.
Epilepsy Foundation.Preparing for back to school success.
Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosing and treating memory problems.
Ashjazadeh N, Yadollahikhales G, Ayoobzadehshirazi A, Sadraii N, Hadi N.Comparison of the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with partial and generalized seizure.Iran J Neurol. 13(2):94-100.
Epilepsy Foundation.Driving laws.
Epilepsy Foundation.Alcohol as a seizure trigger.
Epilepsy Foundation.Ketogenic diet.
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