Epilepsy 101: A Guide for Education and Awareness
If you have epilepsy, you may have tried to explain to friends, loved ones, caregivers, or other people in your life what epilepsy is and how it impacts you. Without the lived experience, it may be difficult for someone to understand. Although they may not ever fully understand the impact that epilepsy has had in your life, it may be helpful to guide them toward resources that can help paint the picture.
We've compiled some of our top informational articles and articles about firsthand experiences with epilepsy to create a guide that you can share with others to help spread awareness and knowledge about this condition.
If you've been sent this article by a loved one, please take the time to read through the sections and click on articles that can educate you on the basics of the condition, as well as the emotional and physical impact it may be having on your loved one and their support people.
Understanding the basics of epilepsy
We understand that a doctor explaining epilepsy may include a lot of medical jargon that is hard to follow or understand, especially when you or a loved one is in the moment of diagnosis. Searching for information online may also be confusing. Here are some basics on epilepsy all in one easy-to-access place:
- What Is Epilepsy?
- What Causes Epilepsy?
- Epilepsy Syndromes
- Types of Epilepsy Seizures
- What is the Difference Between Resolved and Seizure-Free Epilepsy?
- Special Populations: Who Gets Epilepsy?
- Epilepsy Glossary
Symptoms
Here are some symptoms that someone who has epilepsy may experience. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Having a better understanding of possible symptoms can help you to support them and what they may be feeling.
Testing and diagnosis
A person with epilepsy may be nervous about some of the testing that they may have to undergo. Here is some information about the testing and diagnosis process that people may experience. Having this information may help you to support them through any anxiety they may be having, understand something they've gone through, or ask questions that they can ask their doctors:
Treatment
You may be wondering about the types of treatment options that a person with epilepsy has. Learn more about the possible treatment of epilepsy in these articles:
Living with epilepsy: The impact
People with epilepsy experience physical and emotional changes that they have to endure. Their lives are impacted in many ways, including their daily routines, relationships, and sometimes careers – just to name a few. Read about some of the lifestyle changes people with epilepsy sometimes have to make:
- Lifestyle Changes
- Aids and Supportive Devices
- Living With Epilepsy
- Seizure Action Plan: What Is It?
- Legal Challenges
- Paying for Epilepsy Treatment
- Driving and Epilepsy
Support
Support is one of the most important parts of a person's journey with epilepsy. Support can be shown in many different ways, from many different people.
Chances are if you are seeing this article, you are already supporting or interested in supporting someone with epilepsy. Two ways you can support someone who has epilepsy is by educating yourself on the condition and being there as a shoulder to lean on.
In our community, we have Health Leaders who share their personal experiences with epilepsy. They do this so those living with the condition, their loved ones, and their caregivers can better understand the journey. Everyone's journey is different. But you can read some of our Health Leader team's articles to get new perspectives and comment on them to learn more!
You can look at our Health Leader bios and articles here.
This article just scratches the surface of information that's available about epilepsy. Visit our main menu or search bar to learn more.
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