So, what really is epilepsy anyway?

If you don't already know, epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and unfortunately, there is no cure. It is defined as a neurological disorder in which electrical activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing loss of consciousness, convulsions, sensory disturbances, and strange behaviors. Like Autism, epilepsy is a spectrum disorder. This means that there are a wide range of seizure types, and methods to control them, that vary by person.

Having epilepsy can be really frustrating because we do face some restrictions, but we are no different than everyone else, and don’t like to be treated as such. Having epilepsy does not mean that we are unable to do things on our own. It does not mean that we have a poor quality of life. It does not make us freaks. And epilepsy should not define who we are.

We are not our disorder, so please don’t treat us differently.

I sometimes find myself not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Even if my medication has control of my seizure activity, anything can happen. Living in a world where people don’t really understand you is hard, and it takes a toll on your emotions. It’s no wonder that depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among people with epilepsy. Seriously, one in three people with epilepsy will experience some sort of depression in their lifetime (I looked it up). We don’t get the same treatment as others though, and controlling depression for us is more complicated than just taking some medicine. Oftentimes, medication isn’t available to us because it poses a threat to our seizure threshold.

But still, I believe that we might be some of the strongest people in the world.

There is no such thing as “looking like you have epilepsy”. What does that even mean? There is no distinction between us and those without epilepsy. Most times, the only way you could tell is if it’s personally disclosed. But that scares you, doesn’t it? It scares you to know that you could be sitting next to someone who could have a seizure at any moment. Imagine how we feel. Would you rather us walk around with EPILEPTIC branded on our foreheads? Try to be a little more open minded, and maybe look into basic seizure first-aid. You honestly never know when that information can come in handy.

Sometimes we know when it’s coming. But even if we don’t, don’t assume that if we have one we’re going to roll around and shake uncontrollably. Don't assume that we can't go to the movies because of the flashing lights. There are many different kinds of seizures, and with some, you might not even know that it’s happening until it’s over.

If we have a seizure around you, please don’t freak out. I understand how terrifying it may be, but we need you to be calm when we regain consciousness. We need your support.

All in all, please try to keep an open mind when someone tells you they have epilepsy. I know that when I first came out with it, I was embarrassed. I was afraid my peers were going to treat me differently, or that I would be excluded from social and physical activities. We are not limited in our abilities, we just need to be a little cautious.

We are people, just like you.

For more information on epilepsy and how you can help spread awareness, click here.