Sometimes you may become aware that specific events or circumstances affect your seizures. These are usually called seizure triggers, and recognising your triggers can help you to reduce or even avoid seizures. Some reported seizure triggers include:
- Missed medication doses
- Lack of sleep
- Physical fatigue and exhaustion
- Stress, excitement, emotional upset
- Menstruation/hormonal changes
- Illness or fever
- Poor diet or low blood sugar
- Medications or over-the-counter medications other than prescribed seizure medications
- Flashing lights or geometric patterns
- Alcohol or recreational drug use
What are your seizure triggers? If you’re not sure the best way to find out is to keep a diary of not only your seizures, but what happens beforehand.
Note things like being unwell, feeling stressed, drinking alcohol, just woken up, not slept well, or having your period.
Managing your triggers
Know your own patterns
- Everyone’s triggers are different. Some people are affected by lack of sleep, stress, flashing lights, or missing medication — others aren’t.
- Take notice of what tends to happen before a seizure and keep track of it in a diary or app. The more you understand your seizure patterns, the more control they gain.
Keep a regular sleep routine
- Sleep is one of the biggest triggers for many people.
- Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day as much as you can.
- Late nights, all‑nighters, or irregular sleep can make seizures more likely.
Take your medication on time
- Missing doses or taking medication late is a common trigger.
- Using reminders, alarms, or apps can make it easier to stay on track.
Manage stress in healthy ways
Stress doesn’t cause epilepsy, but it can make seizures more likely.
Look after your body
Things like illness, dehydration, overheating, hunger, or exhaustion can increase seizure risk. Simple habits help:
- drink enough water
- eat regular meals
- avoid skipping breakfast
- rest when sick or run‑down
Be aware of alcohol, vaping, and drugs
These can affect sleep, medication levels, and brain activity – all which can increase seizure risk.
Avoid any known personal triggers
If you know certain things set off your seizures – like flashing lights, long gaming sessions, or intense exercise without breaks – manage and plan around these.
It’s not about avoiding fun; it’s about finding safer ways to do the things you enjoy.
Remember: triggers don’t cause epilepsy
- They just make seizures more likely.
- Managing your seizure triggers is about reducing risk.
Talk to your doctor about more specific things to do as they know your epilepsy type.
