Video games and epilepsy

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As I cannot contact my doctor due to the whole Coronavirus at the moment I was wondering if someone can help I have primary generalised epilepsy and I was wondering if this effects me playing video games

Comments

Hi, Thank you for posting and

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2020-04-14 - 08:56

Hi, Thank you for posting and for sharing your story. We cannot determine if playing videos games will impact your epilepsy or not. For about 3% of people with epilepsy, exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or to certain visual patterns can trigger seizures. This condition is known as photosensitive epilepsy. Seizures in photosensitive people may be triggered by exposure to certain video games or TV broadcasts containing rapid flashes or alternating patterns of different colors. However, not all televisions, video games, computer monitors, and strobe lights trigger seizures, even in predisposed individuals many factors must combine to trigger the photosensitive reaction. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/photosensitivity-and-seizures . It’s best that you follow-up with your healthcare team who is familiar with your medical history and can review this further with you. Many clinics and offices are now offering telemedicine options for non-emergencies, if you're unable to see your doctor in person currently. You may want to call your doctor and see if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telemedicine resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations. It may be helpful to keep a journal or a diary to help keep track of your seizures& triggers. This can help you and your healthcare team detect potential patterns, allowing you to modify your behavior and lifestyle, as appropriate. My Seizure Diary can be used to organize your health issues, manage medications,record side effects, other therapies or personal experiences and more which can be shared with members of your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . Additionally,you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi, Thank you for posting and for sharing your story. We cannot determine if playing videos games will impact your epilepsy or not.  For about 3% of people with epilepsy, exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or to certain visual patterns can trigger seizures. This condition is known as photosensitive epilepsy. Seizures in photosensitive people may be triggered by exposure to certain video games or TV broadcasts containing rapid flashes or alternating patterns of different colors. However, not all televisions, video games, computer monitors, and strobe lights trigger seizures, even in predisposed individuals many factors must combine to trigger the photosensitive reaction. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/photosensitivity-and-seizures . It’s best that you follow-up with your healthcare team who is familiar with your medical history and can review this further with you. Many clinics and offices are now offering telemedicine options for non-emergencies, if you're unable to see your doctor in person currently. You may want to call your doctor and see if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telemedicine resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations. It may be helpful to keep a journal or a diary to help keep track of your seizures& triggers. This can help you and your healthcare team detect potential patterns, allowing you to modify your behavior and lifestyle, as appropriate. My Seizure Diary can be used to organize your health issues, manage medications,record side effects, other therapies or personal experiences and more which can be shared with members of your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary  . Additionally,you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline 

Hi, Thank you for posting and for sharing your story. We cannot determine if playing videos games will impact your epilepsy or not. For about 3% of people with epilepsy, exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or to certain visual patterns can trigger seizures. This condition is known as photosensitive epilepsy. Seizures in photosensitive people may be triggered by exposure to certain video games or TV broadcasts containing rapid flashes or alternating patterns of different colors. However, not all televisions, video games, computer monitors, and strobe lights trigger seizures, even in predisposed individuals many factors must combine to trigger the photosensitive reaction. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/photosensitivity-and-seizures . It’s best that you follow-up with your healthcare team who is familiar with your medical history and can review this further with you. Many clinics and offices are now offering telemedicine options for non-emergencies, if you're unable to see your doctor in person currently. You may want to call your doctor and see if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telemedicine resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations. It may be helpful to keep a journal or a diary to help keep track of your seizures& triggers. This can help you and your healthcare team detect potential patterns, allowing you to modify your behavior and lifestyle, as appropriate. My Seizure Diary can be used to organize your health issues, manage medications,record side effects, other therapies or personal experiences and more which can be shared with members of your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . Additionally,you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Yes, and it has been

Submitted by irangel on Tue, 2020-04-14 - 22:05

Yes, and it has been documented over the last 40 years. Unfortunately, you'll will have to do a whole lot of 'google search' just to confirm the countless of reports of sudden light flashes that triggers a seizure. Actually, if you are truly an epileptic, when was the last time you had an EEG???!!!!! And, if so, please do describe your experience during your entire EEG......and, maybe, you will add 2 plus 2 together.