I finally filed for it. The doctors wont let me return to work, so after six months I was 'let go'. I can't get unemployment because I'm not able and available for work and I can't get my seizures under control. So.... What do you do? I knew things were getting worse but honestly I've gotten to the point that I just don't want to know what else is happening. I just don't. I know I'm depressed, I've closed myself off, stay hidden in my house so to speak. But I prefer it that way, I don't have as much interaction so I therefore I also don't get as rattled. Which also means I usually don't get as many seizures.

But I went to see my counselor because I knew these things weren't healthy. She said I was experiencing psychosis, not to be confused with psychotic. Two different things. Now, the lovely thing is to figure out if it is 'mental' or 'physiologic' caused. So they are sending my to a psychiatrist/neurologist. I had my gp tell me flat out that I too many issues for him to help me, he simply doesn't know where to start. Talk about discouraging. I don't even want to tackle finding a new gp. I simply don't. I thought about going to an epileptologist. But then I read about what some other people have experienced with people telling them their EEG's are normal and such and I simply can't go through another four years before they decide 'oh yeah, you do have epilepsy'...that's what it took for them to decide this time, after my head trauma that triggered this all off. But I t hink I was susceptable to it before hand, my cousin has epilepsy and whenever I was very ill I would have seizures, I just didn't know that's what they were then.

So I guess in reality the head trauma triggered it off big time as the norm but I was experiencing it before then just not normally. Make sense? Any way.... Sorry, off topic, ranting, I did file for disability and am waiting for the decision. I would be very surprised if they decide in my favor. I've heard that most of the time the first time they almost always deny you. So we'll see.

I think the decided factor, if I understand it correctly is if it affects a major life function. Such as walking, working, driving, talking, social function, etc...

Sorry this was so long, but thanks for listening. I needed to rant.

I suggest you talk to your Dr first and see if he can help you file for Disability. At my last Neuro appt., he asked me why I wasn't on Disability, and I said, "Why don't you tell me?" I never knew I could be on it for Epilepsy. Now I'm in hurry up and wait mode for my settlement from Disability from when I was supposed to have been on it.

I have done some research. This will be kind of long. Sorry :( I filed on my own after doing my own research and obtaining all of my medical records. We all have rights! Good luck & God Bless :)

For many years, people with epilepsy have been considered disabled under state and federal anti-discrimination laws. For example, there have been numerous successful cases brought under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 recognizing that people with seizure disorders are disabled under the law. These cases recognized the stigma associated with seizure disorders and that many people with a history of epilepsy are considered disabled because of the varied nature of seizures. The Foundation worked very hard for passage of the ADA, to broaden the scope of disability protection and to address the needs of people with seizure disorders. Despite this history, and in light of the recent Supreme Court rulings, there has been some question as to whether epilepsy is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

~Nina~

Talk to your neuro and a disability attorney I know when I filed in 2002 the statute was three or more seizures a month I don't know if there is a requisite type or if it varies from state to state since disability is federal but be prepared it can be a long fight it took me almost three years.