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I guess what I am trying to get at is, I would like to make friends or acquaints that are epileptic and pursuing college or the workforce that can help relate with me.

Hi dreambeauty, Thank you for sharing your story. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. However,we know that being diagnosed with epilepsy can be upsetting and make you feel isolated. One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network. Learn more about your community support, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concerns .For information to review when thinking about college please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-college  https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/choosing-collegehttps://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/attending-collegeFor resources on independent living and employment please visit:https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-livinghttps://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living/employment-help-what-you-need-know It is also important to recognize that epilepsy is more than just seizures, overall well-being and emotional health is just as important:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health   It is common for those living with epilepsy to experience feelings of depression,  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health/overview-depression  and anxiety,   https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-advanced/anxiety-disordersThe Wellness Institute:  epilepsy.com/wellness ,has many helpful and easy-to-use tips & resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maximizing the quality of life for you & your family.  For practical & effective strategies to enhance your well-being, learn more here:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/wellness-support-tools  Additionally,  there are plenty of things you can do toreduce these feelings and manage your epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsyCreate a seizure response or action plan: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history, medications, side effects,moods, or other personal experiences, using a diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Seizure alert device: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf You may also contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org,  epilepsy.com/helpline , where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support. 

I have similar feelings about my temporal lobe epilepsy.  In childhood, I was told I would outgrow the seizures.  In late childhood and early adulthood my gran mal seizures became more infrequent, but my partial seizures maintained being frequent.  Since epilepsy resulted in many social problems in middle school, I decided to ignore my seizures as much as possible in dealing with other people since the gran mal were then rare.  I only had one set of seizures that included one close to a gran mal in a university class just before getting my first bachelor degree in psych;  my professor told me that despite it looked like I was having a heart attack to students in the classroom, he thought I was epileptic with temporal lobe epilepsy;  the side effects of such an epilepsy was held to be an impediment to many career opportunities in psych, so I decided to also get a university degree in business, and if my epilepsy became too big of a problem in graduate psych (it did, mainly by skewing the MMPI), I could at least get gainful employment as a fall back by being an accountant or bean counter.  I also did very well in the business university, and I made eligibility into various outstanding scholar programs with trainee programs into federal employment, but my partial seizures were becoming more noticeable to other people.  When I started to receive feedback of the negative stereotypes assigned to me from other people based on my partial seizures, I sought help from programs that might provide assistance with dealing with such epilepsy problems;  in hindsight, that was a major mistake, as I was labeled totally disabled and unemployable with any rehabilitation efforts likely a waste of money.  The ADA and courts didn't help, so I'm getting by on subsistence disability and spending my time on reading the greater works of literature (around 5,000 books now) and killing time on the internet and internet video games (I'm really lousy at action video games).

Pursuing your college education will open more doors for you than anything else. Most employment opportunities now require a degree of some type, whether Bachelors, Associates, or Grad level.I pursued my first college degree 30 years ago, requiring that I move away from home. Communication with the administration had granted them insight about the epilepsy and what may come when a seizure occurs. As time passed, and friendships formed, I started realizing that more people were aware of epilepsy than I originally anticipated. If disclosure is a major concern, consider getting a medical bracelet or necklace. The one I wear has provided strangers, medics and doctors insight about my seizures, enabling them to take the steps needed when one occurs, while also allowing your family (chosen medical contacts) to be informed.You will notice the same with prospective employers. The jobs I’ve had, through the past 30+ years, covered an array of fields. Upon being offered, and accepting the job, I met with my supervisor to inform them of the seizures. They, too, appreciated the insight, with many aware of the condition due to family or friends who live with it. Doing so, much like college, enabled them to recognize when one was coming and take the necessary action.You can conquer college.Take care,

Hi I read your comment and believe you have a big heart. I also read the two comments below and they both have something to offer. I received my BS,  however there are ignorant people who watch too many doctor movies. That statement is not to be taken negatively. We are responsible as epileptics to educate our co-workers,  friends, and family to be apart of society without a stigmatizism. I don't believe you are a burden,  I do believe you are a blessing to anyone, especially if you're having a bad day.We are training people to help others and people always find time in their hearts and schedules. Ask yourself would you turn down someone who needs help.Volunteering with special needs is a beginning to build confidence and connections. They don't judge! And you have a sweet personality. It may lead you in a new direction. God bless 

I just looked into this group after time and time again of my mom telling me to look into chat groups, but i completely understand where you are coming from. I am 21 and. a junior in college I was so afraid of having a seizure in public that I rarely left my apartment at school. But it comes down to people are people, and will care for you if you need it. You will find friends that like you for you and your epilepsy is just a part of your wonderful package of you as a person. It will always be a part of you, but you should never let it be all of you. Everywhere I go I am very blunt about me having epilepsy, it very quickly takes out the people who will not accept you and leaves the truly amazing people who you want in your life. Jobs are so scary as well and I relate to that, but I have learned that it really is not a problem, maybe just stay away from places with flashing lights or water rescue though LOL. Anyways I hopes this helped in some form..you got this don't let it get you down!!

If there's anywhere you'll find those people that also feel scared and depressed because of a disability, it's college. Because of my epilepsy, my mom was such a hellicopter parent growing up. I was happy to leave that atmosphere. Depending on the school, college can be so large that if a seizure happens, it won't come back to haunt you.I needed the ambulance in the college gym, dorms, had complex partials during work in the cafeteria and it never came back to haunt me because college had 10,000+ people on campus. None of the people that saw me knew my name or #. College students are mature enough to take those things seriously. They're not going to laugh at you.