What Do You Know About Your Epilepsy?

There is no evidence to suggest otherwise. A person with epilepsy may be incapacitated during a seizure but this will be brief and temporary.

Up to 70% of people with epilepsy can potentially have their seizures controlled chiefly through medication

There are many different types of epilepsy which affect people in different ways. It is important to be able to communicate your own seizure type so as to ensure you can get the most effective support where needed.

People with epilepsy should take an active part in all activities. They should be aware of potential dangers and take sensible precautions to ensure their safety.

A person with epilepsy should never alter their medication regime unless advised to do so by their medical team

It can help identify if a person may be on too strong a dosage of medication

While some seizure do involve a loss of consciousness there are many where the person will be fully alert to the seizure activity but have no control over what is happening. These are called Simple Partial Seizures.

Epilepsy is not connected to mental illness it is a physical condition affecting brain functionality

Epileptic activity can start in any brain. 60% of people who develop epilepsy have no underlying damage of developmental defect in their brain.

An EEG is an aid in the diagnosis of epilepsy, it does not provide conclusive proof that a person has/ hasn’t got epilepsy.

It is only if a person experiences very frequent and very lengthy seizures that this may become a risk

It is also advisable to notify the lifeguard present so he/ she can be alert to any problems that may arise

Photosensitive epilepsy (the flickering light/ image triggers the seizure) affects only 3 – 5% of the total epilepsy population, so the majority of people with epilepsy are not at risk. It is safer however to avoid contact with strobe lighting.

There is no evidence to support this claim. However people with epilepsy have to be careful that they do get sufficient rest and not overburden their metabolic system

A person with epilepsy should never alter their medication regime unless advised to do so by their medical team

Every person with epilepsy should be considered for suitability for work based on their seizure type; frequency and the degree of control they have attained. Obviously they should not expose themselves or others to potential risk.

This is one of the exemptions under the Driving Regulations for people with epilepsy. For persons who have seizures exclusively in sleep they may be declared fit to drive once this pattern has been established for no less than one year. (Previously 2 years). If a further occurrence of a seizure happens in waking a one year seizure freedom period is required.

There is no legal obligation to disclose any medical condition, except during a medical examination. People with epilepsy should never put themselves or others at risk and to ensure one’s own safety it may important to disclose the condition

In the UK a person who is diagnosed is obliged to notify the Driving Licence Authority. Here in Ireland there is no such obligation. However when applying for or renewing a licence a person would be obliged to disclose that they have epilepsy.