New to Seizures and Epilepsy

 

As someone who was recently diagnosed or as a caregiver, hearing about epilepsy and seizures for the first time can be frightening and confusing. The following toolkit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors' visits, and how to take control of seizures.

Managing Your Epilepsy

Download this factsheet with tips and information on the importance of managing stress, taking medications as prescribed, and knowing your seizure triggers. These tips will help you can manage your epilepsy and improve your seizure control.

Community Programs

Everyone should know what to do when a seizure happens. Epilepsy and Seizure First Aid is available through our local offices and our website. Download this factsheet that shares information about the first aid training programs we offer to first responders, school personnel and school nurses, organizations serving older adults, and more.

How We Can Help

The Epilepsy Foundation's Epilepsy & Seizures 24/7 Helpline provides compassionate telephone and email support, guidance, and referral to national and local resources. Download this factsheet to learn more about the types of questions our trained information specialists can answer.

  • Epilepsy & Seizures 24/7 Helpline - English
  • Epilepsy & Seizures 24/7 Helpline - Spanish

Self-Management Tools

Download this factsheet that gives resources someone living with epilepsy or caregivers can use to learn more about epilepsy, managing medication or treatment plans, and connecting with others living with epilepsy.

Health Care Visits

Getting good medical care for epilepsy and seizures is a team effort. You are the most important member of the team! You want answers, and your doctor needs information from you, too. Download this factsheet that explains how you can take an active role in your health care.

Dare to Say SUDEP

Download this factsheet that talks about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), knowing your risk, tips for taking control of your seizures, and the importance of talking about SUDEP with health care professionals, family members, and peers.

Seizures and Safety

Depending on the type of seizure, people may fall or hurt themselves in a variety of ways. Cuts, burns, bumps, and bruises can happen. More serious injuries can happen too, especially if someone falls and is not aware of what’s going on around them. Download this factsheet with tips for preventing injuries and staying safe.

First Aid For Seizures

Whether you are new to seizures as a person living with epilepsy or as a caregiver, knowing Seizure First Aid and telling others what to do in the event of a seizure can help to prevent injuries and potentially save lives. Download this factsheet that shares first aid for focal aware (simple partial), focal imparied awareness (complex partial), tonic-clonic and other types of seizures.

Understanding Seizures and Epilepsy

Download this factsheet to find answers to basic questions about epilepsy, including what causes epilepsy, who has epilepsy, how epilepsy is diagnosed and treated, and what are some of the common types of seizures.

My Seizure Response Plan

Having a seizure response plan available for schools, workplaces, or even to carry on-hand can be helpful in making sure that an individual receives the best care in the event of a seizure. Providers can keep copies of this worksheet to fill out with patients, or a person living with epilepsy can bring this worksheet to their next appointment, to create a seizure response plan tailored to the needs of the individual living with epilepsy.

Authored By:

Epilepsy Foundation Health Communications

on Wednesday, August 01, 2018

Reviewed By:

Sarah Kaider

on Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Resources

Epilepsy Centers

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

Epilepsy Medication

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

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.

Tools & Forms

Download our seizure tracking app, print out seizure action plans, or explore other educational materials.