How to Work With Epilepsy
For the millions of Americans who are afflicted with epilepsy, working can be difficult. Seizures can occur at almost any given time, sometimes without warning. In addition, some of the medications prescribed to treat epilepsy can cause its taker to become drowsy and lethargic. For those who suffer from epilepsy, it is a matter of pride to treat themselves as though they are not disabled, regardless of their condition. Working, difficult though it may be sometimes, is one way to feel as though no condition even exists.
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Things You'll Need
- Medication
- Knowledge about your condition
- A low-stress job
- A job with flexible hours
Instructions
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Take a job with little stress. For those who have epilepsy, stress is considered a major cause for a seizure. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the epileptic to search for jobs that offer a somewhat stress-free environment. For example, it may be safer to hold a job as a receptionist rather than a waitress.
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Take your medication to work with you. In some cases epileptics may have a warning sign or an aura before a seizure occurs. Depending on the type of epilepsy someone has, they may be able to prevent the seizure from occurring if they take a medication such as Klonopin to relieve their anxiety. While it doesn't always work, it won't have a chance to work unless you have it with you.
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Choose your hours carefully. Every epileptic knows what their specific triggers are, and a strange sleep pattern which causes fatigue is one of them. They may also be prone to having seizures at specific times of the day such as early in the morning. For this reason, it is essential to work only the hours you know you are less likely to have a seizure, and to not work more hours than you can handle.
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Talk to your employer. Due to the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is not required for an employee to reveal their medical condition to their employer. However in the case of epilepsy, it is better to reveal your condition to your prospective employer so that it can be of assistance should a seizure take place.
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Inform your co-workers. While many who suffer from epilepsy do not like to shout it from the highest mountain, it is in their best interest to let their co-workers know that they have epilepsy, and tell them what to do should they have a seizure while at work. There are many misconceptions about how to care for an epileptic during and after a seizure; if the care is not properly administered, it could result in injury to the epileptic.
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Tips & Warnings
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers do not have the right to withdraw a job offer or fire an employee because they have epilepsy. If you or someone you know feels they have been discriminated against due to their medical condition, use the resource link at the bottom of the page to report it.
