Epilepsy

Reviewed by Dr Anthony Marson, lecturer in neurology, University of Liverpool

Lifestyle restrictions
It is important for people with epilepsy to try to get over any fear of seizures and live their lives as normally as possible. However, there are a number of restrictions such as those outlined below.

To hold a civilian driving licence in the UK you need to have been seizure-free for 12 months, or only had seizures at night while asleep.

Activities such as climbing and diving are best avoided if you are still having seizures.

If you decide to go swimming it is best to go with a friend who can keep an eye on you, and help out if necessary. Inform the lifeguard when swimming in a public pool.

Flickering lights, such as strobe lights in nightclubs, can trigger seizures in some people. If this is the case, clubs with strobes are best avoided. It is also sensible to avoid playing computer games for long periods of time as the flickering screen has been associated with seizures in some susceptible people with epilepsy.

Some people's seizures can be brought on by lack of sleep, or by drinking alcohol the night before. This calls for a more moderate lifestyle, which can be particularly difficult for teenagers for whom this is more commonly a problem.

Rigid guidelines are impossible as each person's epilepsy is different. For example, it makes a big difference whether the fits are unpredictable or whether they always occur at the same time.

Always discuss your own particular circumstances with your specialist.

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