Managing Your Epilepsy

 

Self-management or how you and your family or loved one(s) manage your health and life with epilepsy will vary along your journey.

For some people it may be easy and just involve responding to seizures, staying safe, and taking medicines regularly. People whose seizures are not controlled will have many other issues to cope with. You’ll want to learn all sorts of tips and approaches at different points in your life.

Epilepsy Specific Self-management

This term refers to the information, skills, and resources you’ll need to live with seizures outside of the doctor’s office. Examples of things you’ll need to do:

Self-management for Healthy Living and Wellness

  • This is important for everyone – the person with epilepsy, their family, and friends. Staying healthy and being fit affects our physical and emotional health in many ways. Epilepsy is no exception.
  • Make sure you learn how other health conditions affect your wellness too. For example, sleep problems and depression or anxiety can lead to sleep deprivation or poor quality of sleep. Poor sleep can be a seizure trigger for many people. If this happens to you, it's important to address those health problems AND sleep to help you get healthy and gain better control of your seizures.
  • Learn how wellness can help you manage your life with epilepsy by visiting our Wellness Institute.
  • Start a list of what you can do to improve your nutrition, fitness, bone health, emotional health, and more.
  • It’s never too late to start on the journey towards wellness. Keep in mind that people of different ages may have different areas to focus on so talk to your health care team about your health and wellness.

Authored By:

Patty Obsorne Shafer RN, MN

Reviewed By:

Joseph I. Sirven MD

Resources

Epilepsy Centers

Epilepsy centers provide you with a team of specialists to help you diagnose your epilepsy and explore treatment options.

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Epilepsy Medication

Find in-depth information on anti-seizure medications so you know what to ask your doctor.

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Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline

Call our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline and talk with an epilepsy information specialist or submit a question online.

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Tools & Resources

Get information, tips, and more to help you manage your epilepsy.

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Find an Epilepsy Specialist

Ready for help? Find an Epilepsy specialist who can help guide you through your epilepsy journey.