Epilepsy and Seizures

Most teens would prefer to forget or ignore their epilepsy. Unfortunately, that will not help at all. Instead, teens with epilepsy must take control of the disorder rather than letting it control them.

It is very important to tell your friends that you have epilepsy. Most likely they will want to know how they can help you if you have a seizure. If you are aware of an aura before you have a seizure, you can prepare yourself for the seizure by heading to a safe place and telling someone what is about to happen. If you don't get auras, your friends can still help once a seizure starts by watching out for your safety.

Tell your friends what epilepsy is and what happens to you when you have a seizure. Seizures with convulsions can look very frightening, so make sure your friends know that these seizures are neither painful nor life threatening. Don't worry about losing your friends because of your epilepsy. True friends like you just as you are. Your real friends will want to be your friends whether or not you have epilepsy. Be sure to tell them what to do if you have a convulsive seizure.

If someone feels a seizure coming on, he or she should tell someone. Others can help the person stay safe during the seizure and stay with him or her until it is over. If you are alone and you feel a seizure coming on, you can take some precautions. For example, if you are riding your bike, stop and get off; if you are driving, pull over to the side of the road.

Many people, however, cannot tell when they are about to have a seizure. For these people, wearing a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace is a good idea. This states that you have a seizure disorder. Some Medic Alert bracelets also list the name of your medication and the phone number of a parent or other emergency contact.