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Being diagnosed with epilepsy   A diagnosis of epilepsy, either for yourself, your partner or for someone you care for can, without doubt, be distressing news. While some people are relieved to learn what is causing their “blackouts”, “turns” or “peculiar feelings”, a diagnosis of epilepsy is not what they were hoping to hear. Tracking Seizures and Keeping Records   Cover page of Epifile, Keeping Track/Contacting people, Tracking seizures / Seizure Stages / Detailed observations or a summary... Seizure First Aid   The general rule for all seizures is to remain calm. Note the time the seizure starts and how long it lasts and protect [rather than restrain] the person from injury.The general rule for all seizures is to remain calm. Note the time the seizure starts and how long it lasts and protect [rather than restrain] the person from injury. How is epilepsy diagnosed?   Epilepsy is not one condition. There are numerous epilepsy syndromes and each has its own symptoms, seizure types, causes, methods of diagnosis, outcomes and management. Accurate identification of your epilepsy syndrome will ensure you receive appropriate treatment. Classification of Seizures   The attempt to comprehensively classify seizures is a difficult and ongoing undertaking. It is difficult because the more that is learned about seizures the more it seems that they do not sit neatly in a simple classification table. Triggers   Some people, although not all, find that certain factors induce seizures. You may not become aware of your trigger factors unless you keep a seizure diary for a period of time. The following list of trigger factors is a guide but it is by no means an exhaustive list. Medications   Medications and Medication Review Alternative and Complementary Therapies   To begin with, your best chance of bringing your seizures under control and getting on with your life is to follow your doctor's advice. Lifestyle Issues   Many people have concerns about living with epilepsy. Each person experiences epilepsy in quite a different way depending on the type, frequency and predictability of their seizures Driving Issues   Children and Epilepsy   While epilepsy can begin at any time of life, the highest incidence occurs in children under 5 years. Teenage years and Epilepsy   Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder of adolescence with an estimated prevalence of around 1 per 100 in children aged 14–16 years Men and Epilepsy   Comparatively little has been written specifically for men with epilepsy. But this is not because epilepsy affects men any less than it does women... Women and Epilepsy   For women with epilepsy, many issues arise over the lifespan. For the emerging woman you may have concerns regarding menstruation and seizure control Older People and Epilepsy   Growing old has many challenges: growing old with a diagnosis of epilepsy is a challenge in itself. Yet epilepsy is a challenge that can be Issues for Carers The experience of epilepsy for the caregiver is not an easy one, especially for those of you who have a child, partner or parent with epilepsy Babysitting   Babysitting a child with epilepsy is usually no different to babysitting any other child. It is important to always treat the child with epilepsy the same as any other child for whom you might be caring. Employment and Epilepsy Skills, abilities, qualifications and experience are the qualities that employers are most interested in when considering someone for employment. Intellectual Disability and Epilepsy Intellectual disability refers to a substantial limitation in intellectual functioning compared to people of the same age in the same situation. Safety Issues for living with epilepsy Epilepsy and Living, Medicating, Parenting, and Swimming Stigma For some years now many of us have been talking about the stigma which is attached to epilepsy. The consumer group Epilepsy Action, formerly known as the British Epilepsy Association, even had a T-shirt with the words "STAMP OUT STIGMA" emblazoned across the front. Being diagnosed with Epilepsy2 A diagnosis of epilepsy, either for yourself, your partner or for someone you care for can, without doubt, be distressing news. While some people are relieved to learn what is causing their “blackouts”, “turns” or “peculiar feelings”, a diagnosis of epilepsy is not what they were hoping to hear. SUDEP - Australia Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria counsellors offer whatever information and assistance is needed, for example providing information about SUDEP or helping families to understand post mortem reports. Support is given also by volunteers, who themselves have experienced SUDEP in their family. SUDEP: Managing Fear Managing Fear  It may save a life. Rather than threatening the emotional wellbeing of patients and families (who already live with fear of death), the discussion of SUDEP offers a therapeutic opportunity. It is a chance to significantly improve quality of life and reduce harm from seizures. The methods used in disclosing this information can strongly influence medical and psychosocial outcomes. Robert J Mittan, Ph.D. SUDEP: Why the need for action? Epilepsy Bereaved UK Why the need for action?  A perspective from Epilepsy Bereaved in the United Kingdom. SUDEP: Guidance for SUDEP in clinical practice Tailored information on the individual’s risk of SUDEP should be part of the counselling checklist for people with epilepsy and their families and/or carers taking account of the small but definite risk of SUDEP. The guidelines recognise that there may be factors that increase the risk of SUDEP. These include poor seizure control, having convulsive or nocturnal seizures, having a learning disability, being a young adult male, not taking treatment as prescribed or having abrupt or frequent changes to medication. First Aid for Households Famous People with Epilepsy Epilepsy Information The interest shown in famous people who had epilepsy once again makes it clear that people with the chronic disease epilepsy or who suffer occasional epileptic seizures can still be highly intelligent and achieve great things. SUDEP - a global conversation Epilepsy Information Written for anyone with an interest in Sudep or epilepsy in general 'Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy - a global conversation' draws together considered observations from around the world on the many issues surrounding SUDEP providing the reader with a snapshot of SUDEP as it is understood in 2005/2006 Epilepsy Surgery In recent years epilepsy surgery has become a well recognised treatment for certain types of epilepsy. Here are answers to some of the questions commonly asked by patients considering surgery.