Understanding your epilepsy as you grow up
Many people are diagnosed with epilepsy when they’re young, but reach their teens or early adulthood still feeling unsure about what their condition actually means. That’s completely normal.
Often a diagnosis happens in a hospital after a seizure, when everything feels confusing or blurry. You might only remember bits of what the doctor said. It can feel like you were expected to understand a whole new condition in a moment when you weren’t fully aware.
If this sounds familiar, it’s okay. You’re not expected to know everything straight away. A good first step is to ask your specialist to explain your exact epilepsy type, your treatment plan, and what you can expect going forward. Understanding these things helps you take more control of your health.
As you move from child to adult services, becoming more independent in managing your epilepsy is important. This includes learning about your seizure type, knowing your triggers, understanding your medication, and recognising what helps you stay well. We’ve created tools to support you through this transition into adult health care so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
You can also talk to one of our specialist epilepsy nurses about anything – symptoms, school, driving, relationships, medication, or worries you haven’t said out loud yet. No question is too small.
Email us or Book a Telehealth Appointment or call us direct on 1300 37 45 37
And if you want to connect with others your age who get what you’re going through, join our youth Facebook group Oz Youth Beyond Epilepsy. It’s a space to share experiences, ask questions, and feel supported by people who understand.
