Talking About It

Because the teenage years are all about fitting in, it can be hard if you feel different around friends and classmates. It often seems easier to keep your epilepsy private, but sometimes trying to hide a condition can cause its own troubles, and sometimes it just isn’t possible if your seizures aren’t controlled.

If and when you are talking to friends about your epilepsy, getting ‘the balance right’ is important, give people the right amount of information to understand it enough, but don’t make a big deal of it. You might be surprised how accepting people can be if you talk about it.

Keep it in perspective. It’s easy for epilepsy to become the main focus of your life — especially as you first learn about and start dealing with it. Many people find that reminding themselves that their epilepsy is only a part of who they are, can help put things back in perspective. Keeping up with friends, activities, and everyday things helps a lot.

Conversation Starters

Here are some opening lines you might find helpful:

  • You know how I’m always wearing this medical alert bracelet? Its because I have epilepsy, in case I have a seizure.
  • Remember that TV show we watched and the guy had a seizure? Well, I have seizures too, but they are a bit different.
  • Remember yesterday, when I was acting a bit weird? That was actually a seizure. They dont last long and just make me vague out for a bit.
  • I’m struggling to concentrate today because I had a seizure yesterday. It affects my memory and concentration for a couple of days.
  • I can’t drink alcohol because I’m taking medication. I have epilepsy and I need to take medication so I don’t have seizures.

Remember, seizures are not anything to be ashamed of and if you act like you are not ashamed, people around you will be less worried about it too.


Podcasts: Epilepsy, Talk About It