10 Things People Don’t Realize I’m Doing Because I Have Epilepsy

To an outsider, things like choosing water over coffee or leaving a social event early might look like a reflection of your personality. But to a person with epilepsy, these lifestyle choices are essential in managing the condition.

Living with epilepsy for 15 years, I’ve had to adjust my everyday life to help manage my condition. Certain things that I do on a regular basis, others might not realize is because I have limitations and I need to work with them.

Below I share the adjustments that I’ve made in my everyday life to avoid seizures. Some people might not realize how much of a difference these strategies make:

1. I have someone with me when I go out. Seizures are unpredictable and I can never tell when one will occur. I don’t always feel comfortable being alone.

2. I don’t drive. My husband takes me where I want and need to go because of my seizures.

3. I don’t have children. Mainly because of my seizures but eventually decided that parenthood just wasn’t for me.

4. I mainly drink decaffeinated drinks because in some cases caffeine can provoke seizures.

5. Sometimes I leave social events early because overstimulation and sleep deprivation can lead to a lower seizure threshold.

6. I do my best to plan everything based on how my seizure activity has been.

7. I don’t drink alcohol. It’s not that I’m below age, but because it could provoke a seizure.

8. I wear sunglasses often. Sometimes even indoors. I don’t think of myself as a fashionista but take precautions against flashing lights which could provoke a seizure.

9. I mainly prefer texting over talking. This is because of my struggles with brain fog and occasional complex partial seizures which disrupt my ability to speak coherently.

10. I always announce when I’m going to take a shower. I’ve had a seizure in the bathroom on more than one occasion and this helps my husband to stay alert should anything happen.

What things do you do that people don’t realize you’re doing because of your epilepsy? Share in the comments below.