Epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes recurrent seizures that originate in the brain. It affects about 1 in every 200 people.
People can experience many different types of epileptic seizures, and you will need to find out what is normal for each individual. Seizures can last for different lengths of time. The recovery period can take much longer than the seizure itself.
The majority of people with epilepsy respond well to treatment and can get on with their lives. However, some people with frequent seizures of any type may need constant supervision and support. Employees with epilepsy will usually have an individualised care plan.
The signs and symptoms
There are three main types of seizures:
- Primary generalised seizures
- Partial (focal) seizures
- Secondarily generalised seizures
Primary generalised seizures:
the whole brain is affected by the disruption to its usual activity and consciousness is lost. Seizures in the category include:
- Absences – the person looks blank for a few seconds and may not respond when spoken to or realise they have had a seizure. This type of seizure can happen repeatedly and can be mistaken for daydreaming.
- Tonic-clonic – the person stiffens, loses consciousness, convulses and may fall. Irregular breathing and/or incontinence may happen. Tonic and atonic seizures or drop attacks – the person may stiffen and fall heavily or lose muscle tone and crumple to the ground.
- Myoclonic – rhythmic, shock-like muscle jerks that can affect the whole body and can be strong enough to throw the person to the ground.
Partial (focal) seizures:
only part of the brain is affected, and consciousness may be altered but not lost. Seizures in this category include:
- Simple partial seizure – the person may experience unusual sensations and/or movement in one part of the body, e.g., tingling or twitching.
- Complex partial seizures – awareness is disturbed or lost, and the person may experience unusual feelings. They may be unaware of their surroundings and unable to respond when spoken to and their behaviour may appear strange.
Secondarily generalised seizures:
the disruption starts in one part of the brain and spreads to the whole brain. Status epilepticus is a condition in which seizures persist for 30 minutes or more. It can occur with all types of seizure but with tonic clonic seizures it is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical treatment. If a tonic clonic seizure lasts more than five minutes or if a second seizure occurs before the person has recovered, call for medical help.
Ideas to support inclusion
Get to know the employee and how their epilepsy does or doesn’t affect them and how they’d like to manage it.
- Be aware of their care plan and if you have any responsibilities within it
- Know the person’s triggers and ensure they are supported to avoid them as much as possible at the workplace e.g. missed meals, response to stress or anxiety, illness, flashing lights.
- If employees have missed anything important due to their epilepsy, support with catch up work and helping them feel comfortable returning to the workplace.
- If an employee has a seizure at the workplace, work with them to ensure they feel comfortable returning to the workplace.
For further support, watch the video below to learn what to do if a person is having a seizure and you do not have a care plan: British Red Cross - How to help someone who is having a seizure (epileptic fit)