Social Issues

Having a diagnosis of epilepsy can make you re-question your whole life plan Work / Finances Family / Home Social / Hobbies Travel Independence

Big areas of concern ! Driving Group 1 Seizures whilst awake – refrain from driving for a year Seizures whilst asleep – refrain from driving for a year, however if nocturnal events have occurred for three years with no daytime events a licence can be gained Group 2 Free from seizures for 10years and off epilepsy medication Advice re discontinuing medication

Minimizing risk  Triggers -ETOH, Sleep deprivation, stress, flashing lights?  Home – Kitchen, Bedroom, Living space, Bathroom  Work - Reasonable limitations where applicable, risk assessments, DDA  Leisure - Common sense approach

SUDEP (Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) Estimated to account for between 7-17% of deaths in people with epilepsy Consistent risk factors -Young adulthood -Early age onset of seizures -Presence of generalised tonic- clonic seizures -Increased frequency of seizures -Polytherapy -Poor compliance