Epilepsy can be a scary diagnosis, especially when you don’t know much about it.
Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological condition. The onset of epilepsy can happen at any time. About 4% of people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their life, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Seizures are a brain disorder caused by irregular and abnormal electrical connections. They can happen at any time and often are unpredictable.
Taking Steps for Safety
Learning as much as you can about epilepsy when you’re first diagnosed can help you figure out how to balance everyday life with the disorder. If you’ve had epileptic seizures, daily life is likely to change — especially if you live alone.
Here are seven ways to manage epilepsy for safety.
1. Find the right neurologist
The first step in managing epilepsy is to establish a good relationship with your neurologist or epileptologist — someone who is an expert in treating seizures. Your doctor may order tests and prescribe medicines to help control the seizures. Other treatments, including surgical options, may be available if seizures continue despite medicines.
2. Track your seizure triggers
Sometimes, people have triggers that make a seizure more likely to happen. People living with epilepsy find it helpful to pay attention to their seizure triggers. You may be able to control some triggers, such as stress, lack of sleep, or other lifestyle factors. You should also be aware that some seizure triggers may be out of your control, like illness or hormonal changes.
3. Develop a seizure response plan
It’s important to be prepared for a seizure so that those around you can help. A seizure response plan is a written document that provides personal information, emergency contacts, details about your specific seizures and epilepsy medicines, and information on what others can do to help you if you have a seizure. The Epilepsy Foundation has a worksheet to fill out and keep with you.
4. Let people know
Share your seizure response plan with the people you spend the most time with. If you’re a student, share it with your roommates and close friends. If you’re working, share your plan with co-workers and close neighbors. Keep a copy in your purse or backpack in case you experience a seizure while out in public. Some people wear a medical alert bracelet or pendant, which helps first responders.
5. Enlist help with transportation
One of the hardest things to deal with when you’re living with epilepsy is the possible loss of driving privileges and the independence that comes with it. To obtain or keep a driver’s license when diagnosed with epilepsy, your state may require you to prove that you’ve been seizure-free for a specified amount of time. While this restriction is for safety, it can be difficult (and expensive) to rely on public transportation or ride-sharing apps. Talk to your family and friends to figure out ways they can help you get around.
6. Have a spotter
Epilepsy may prevent you from taking part in certain activities, including adventure sports like scuba diving and skydiving. But even when swimming, you should take extra precautions — like making sure someone is watching and can help in an emergency. If you’re participating in an activity that would be unsafe during a seizure, it’s a good idea to use the buddy system and have a spotter on hand.
7. Join a support group
If you’re living with epilepsy, you might consider joining a support group or reaching out to others who live with epilepsy. Having an outlet to share ways to manage life with epilepsy and knowing others who are going through similar experiences can be comforting and provide both support and ideas you can use.
Life with Epilepsy
A good source of information for people living with epilepsy is the Epilepsy Foundation. This organization provides educational options, support services, and other resource lists. Examples include transportation services information, help with understanding health coverage, information about camps for kids with epilepsy, financial assistance, and more.
If you need a second opinion or more information on how to live your best life with epilepsy, contact the UPMC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .