Helping Others Understand Your Epilepsy
It is not always necessary to discuss epilepsy with a potential employer. Whether or not you do or not is up to you. If you have excellent seizure control and the employer does not ask any health-related questions, there's no reason to start talking about epilepsy unless you want to.
The important thing is whether you are able to do the job as described. Employers are also required to make reasonable accommodation for a disability.
If you decide to talk about your epilepsy, remember that the more confident, well-informed, and relaxed you can be, the more reassured the employer is likely to be.
Explain how long you've had epilepsy and how well it's controlled. If you drive, say so. Say how long you've been seizure-free. Explain that research studies show the longer people are free of seizures, the greater the likelihood they will stay that way.
If you've never had a convulsive seizure in your life, mention that as well. Remember, the average person thinks everyone with epilepsy has convulsions all the time.
If you have only occasional seizures, point that out, too. Explain that if one should occur it will only last a very short time. And always explain how this condition actually affects your ability to perform in a job. Remember, too, that studies show people who have acquired good job skills have a better chance of getting a job, whether or not they have epilepsy.
Click here to find out about epilepsy and driving or operating machinery.
Friends, dating, and epilepsy
Close relationships usually pose another question: At what point do I explain that I have epilepsy?
There's no right answer for everybody, of course, but in general, disclosing the fact of having epilepsy seems to create the least difficulty when it happens after people have had a chance to get to know each other, rather than on the first date.
If you have frequent seizures, you may want to tell your friend about them earlier in the relationship so he or she will know what is happening and what to do if one should occur.
Although it may seem difficult at first, talking about epilepsy to other people usually becomes easier with practice. Your confidence and feelings of well-being will grow as you become more and more comfortable with what you're saying and how you're saying it.
Source - Epilepsy Foundation of America, adapted with permission.
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