Living with Epilepsy
Top 3 Things you Should Know When Living With Someone With Epilepsy
By Hannah Halter
date: November 6, 2020
First Aid. This is number one on the list and is the most important. Epilepsy can look different from person to person so treating someone while seizing is a caretaker’s number one priority. Creating a plan that is personalized will make them feel cared for and is best for your loved one.
General Saftey tips:
Don’t hold the person down or try to stop the person’s movements.
Clear the area around the person of anything sharp or harmful.
Put something soft, like a folded coat, under the head.
Stay with the person until the seizure ends naturally.
Time the seizure with your watch.
These safety tips really helped me when I was put in a position when I needed to help someone.
Patience is something especially important when it comes to comforting a loved one dealing with epilepsy. Especially for younger children with this condition is it crucial to be patient and calm as they are regaining their strength. Imagine waking up from a seizure and feeling all the emotions from those around you. Staying as calm and collected can make the person feel less insecure.
Be aware of triggers. (Stress, lack of sleep, lack of food, miss dose of medication, etc.) These triggers are common and the typical person might not even be aware. A person struggling with epilepsy could get a full night of rest and still be sleep deprived due to the fact that Neurologically a person’s brain needs more sleep than a typical person. Other common triggers like stress can affect seizures activity. Check-in with your loved one on days they seem stressed or overtired. They may need more breaks and extra support when feeling overwhelmed.
Sources:
https://epilepsyu.com/education/teens-epilepsy/
https://neurosciencenews.com/neuroscience-terms/epilepsy/
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