Seizure preparedness stresses critical self-management concepts that www.epilepsy.com is built on – information, community and empowerment. Epilepsy.com strives to put these concepts into action – empowering people to be ‘in charge’, take action, and help develop better therapies for people with epilepsy. Right now, too many people live with uncontrolled seizures and treatment side effects. Seizures can disrupt a person’s daily life in so many ways. While most seizures are not dangerous, sometimes emergency situations develop that can cause serious harm and be life-threatening. While treatment can help many people, it often takes too long to find the right one and then learn how to take it properly.

This Seizure Preparedness initiative is designed to help you gain a working knowledge of epilepsy so you can be prepared to manage seizures and prevent problems and emergencies from developing. You will be introduced to tools and resources that can help you assess risks, observe and record seizures, and keep track of your medicines and other health care needs. You’ll have a chance to develop your own Seizure Plan - a way to organize critical seizure and treatment information that will help you and your loved ones:

• Talk to your doctor about your types of seizures and risk for seizure emergencies.
• Keep track of treatments used to manage your seizures.
• Develop an individualized plan for seizure first aid.
• Know when to intervene to prevent seizure emergencies.
• Teach other people how to respond to your seizures appropriately.

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Last Reviewed:5/25/07

Continue to Assessing Readiness