Teenagers Living With Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition in which electrical activity in the brain causes seizures, involuntary movements or unconsciousness. If your teenager has been diagnosed with epilepsy, she can face difficulties with many aspects of teenage life. You can help by answering her questions with accurate and useful information.
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Driving
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Although the details of the law vary from one state to another, every state in the United States restricts people who have seizures from driving unless their seizures are under control. According to the F.E. Dreifuss Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, a service of the department of neurology at the University of Virginia, some forms of epilepsy such as childhood absence epilepsy, often clear up during puberty. Other types of epilepsy can often be effectively controlled with medications. If your teenager has not had a seizure in six months or more, it may be possible for him to get a driver's license, depending on the state. If your teenager is still experiencing seizures, he may have to wait to get a license.
Work and School
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The Dreifuss Program at UVA advises that some jobs, such as cooking near hot grease or operating heavy equipment, would not be safe for a person with epilepsy. Encourage your teenager to find work in which she would not be injured or endanger others if she had a seizure on the job. Epilepsy medication can also cause side effects such as drowsiness that might make it difficult to work. This can also be a problem with schoolwork, because it can make concentration difficult. Consult your child's neurologist and school if you encounter this problem. The school system should be able to make accommodations such as scheduling a makeup test or allowing more time to complete a paper if necessary. According to a British organization called "Epilepsy Action," the stress associated with taking an exam can trigger a seizure. To reduce the risk of this occurring, ask the school to allow your teen to take breaks during the exams or have extra time to complete them.
Sports and Activities
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According to the Epilepsy Foundation, teens with epilepsy can safely participate in most sports and other physical activities. Sports such as rock climbing should be avoided because of the risk of a fall. Activities such as bicycling may not be safe either, depending on the amount of traffic and frequency of seizures. Other activities can be practiced with caution. For example, a teenager with epilepsy should avoid swimming alone because of the risk of having a seizure while in the water. Most teens with epilepsy can participate in team sports.
Social Life
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One big concern for teenagers with epilepsy is that their friends and peers may not understand their condition or that dating partners might be scared away if they witness a seizure. The Epilepsy Foundation advises teens to be open about their epilepsy diagnosis and tell people what to expect ahead of time so they aren't surprised. You should warn your teenager that some people with epilepsy have more frequent seizures if they drink alcohol or take drugs. The aforementioned UVA Dreifuss Program advises teens with epilepsy to avoid drugs and alcohol completely.
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