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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

Uncontrolled seizures and their effect on your life may at times feel overwhelming or lead to depression. It's important not to let epilepsy constrain you. You can still live an active, social life. To help cope:

  • Educate yourself and your friends and family about epilepsy so they understand the condition.
  • Try to ignore negative reactions from people. It helps to learn about epilepsy so you know the facts as opposed to misconceptions about the disease. And try to keep your sense of humor.
  • Live as independently as possible. This means continuing to work, if possible. If you can't drive because of your seizures, investigate public transportation options near you.
  • Find a doctor you like and with whom you feel comfortable.
  • Try not to constantly worry about having a seizure.

If your seizures are so severe that you can't work outside your home, there are still ways to feel productive and connected to people. These include:

  • Work from home by developing a special skill, like computer programming.
  • Develop or participate in hobbies, and connect over the Internet with other people who are interested in the same things.
  • Work to develop friends and have contact with other people.

Let people you work and live with know the correct way to handle a seizure in case they're with you when you have one. This includes:

  • Gently roll the person onto one side.
  • Put something soft under his or her head.
  • Loosen tight neckwear.
  • Don't try to put your fingers or anything else in the person's mouth. No one has ever "swallowed" his or her tongue during a seizure — it's physically impossible.
  • Don't try to restrain someone having a seizure.
  • Don't attempt to rouse the person by shouting at or shaking him or her.
  • If the person is moving, clear away dangerous objects.
  • Stay with the person until medical personnel arrive.
  • Observe the person closely so that you can provide details on what happened.
  • Time the seizures with your watch.
  • Keep calm and reassure others nearby.
Lifestyle and home remedies
References
  1. Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  2. Schachter SC, et al. Overview of the management of epilepsy in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  3. Wilfong A, et al. Overview of the classification, etiology, and clinical features of pediatric seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  4. Boggs JG. Seizures and epilepsy in the elderly: Etiologies, clinical presentation, and differential diagnosis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  5. Information for healthcare professionals: Suicidal behavior and ideation and antiepileptic drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/HCP/antiepileptics200812.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  6. Krumholz A, et al. Driving restrictions for patients with seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  7. Feen ES, et al. Status epilepticus. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:400.
  8. Tomson T, et al. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A review of incidence and risk factors. Epilepsia. 2005;46:54.
  9. Bell GS, et al. Drowning in people with epilepsy: How great is the risk? Neurology. 2008;71:578.
  10. First aid. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/firstaid/. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  11. Law enforcement/EMS response to seizures. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/professionals/emergency/index.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  12. Schachter SC, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  13. Hirsch LJ, et al. Neuroimaging in the evaluation of seizures and epilepsy. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  14. French JA, et al. Initial management of epilepsy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:166.
  15. About epilepsy: Epilepsy fact sheet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/factsfigures.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  16. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  17. Living with epilepsy: Tips for living. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/quickstart/newlydiagnosed/qsliving/idvtips.cfm. Accessed Feb. 2, 2009.
  18. Transportation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/transportation/. Accessed March 2, 2009.
  19. Myoclonus fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myoclonus/detail_myoclonus.htm#105233160. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  20. Stroke: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/detail_stroke.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
  21. Browne TR, et al. Handbook of Epilepsy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:133.
  22. Cancer imaging. National Cancer Institute. http://imaging.cancer.gov/imaginginformation/cancerimaging/. Accessed March 5, 2009.
  23. Devinsky O. Epilepsy: Patient and family guide. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: Demos Medical Publishing; 2008:81.
  24. Treatment options: Ketogenic diet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/ketogenicdiet/ketoalone.cfm. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  25. Treatment options: Ketogenic diet. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/ketogenicdiet/. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  26. Pre-surgical evaluation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/surgery/evaluation.cfm. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  27. Spencer SS, et al. Multiple subpial transection for intractable partial epilepsy: An international meta-analysis. Epilepsia. 2002;43:141.
  28. So EL. What is known about the mechanisms underlying SUDEP? Epilepsia. 2008;49:93.
  29. Neurontin (prescribing information.). New York, N.Y.: Pfizer Inc.; 2007. http://www.pfizer.com/products/rx/rx_product_neurontin.jsp. Accessed March 24, 2009.
  30. So E (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 24, 2009.

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