Do you have to disclose you have epilepsy?

It is not always necessary to discuss epilepsy with a potential employer. Whether you do or not is up to you. If you have excellent seizure control and the employer does not ask any health-related questions, there's no reason to start talking about epilepsy unless you want to.


Do you have to tell your employer if you have seizures?

The ADA does not require applicants to voluntarily disclose that they have epilepsy or another disability unless they will need a reasonable accommodation for the application process (for example, permission to bring a service animal to an interview).

Should I tell my coworkers I have epilepsy?

You are not obliged to tell an employer that you have epilepsy. They can only ask about your epilepsy once you are employed and they believe it is preventing you from doing essential functions of your job. You are allowed to ask for reasonable accommodations at work and they should provide them.


Is epilepsy a hidden disability?

Epilepsy is sometimes described as a hidden disability because it is not usually obvious that someone has the condition unless they have a seizure. Whether you feel that you have a disability or not, you are protected by the Equality Act if your epilepsy affects you in this way.

Should I tell her I have epilepsy?

You might be perfectly comfortable telling others about it, or you might feel it is something very private to you. Either way it is normally a good idea to let someone that you are dating know about it: It means they won't be so surprised if you have a seizure.


What Should People Know About Epilepsy?



Is epilepsy considered a mental illness?

Epilepsy is not a mental illness. In fact, the vast majority of people living with epilepsy have no cognitive or psychological problem. For the most part, psychological issues in epilepsy are limited to people with severe and uncontrolled epilepsy.

Is epilepsy classed as a terminal illness?

Although epilepsy is not typically considered a terminal illness, people with epilepsy have on average a 2–4 times higher risk of death than the general population with causes ranging from underlying disease process (e.g. brain neoplasm), complications of medications or comorbidities (e.g. suicide), seizure-induced ...

What am I entitled to if I have epilepsy?

If you have to stop working

If you have a job but cannot work because of your epilepsy, you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer. If you do not have a job and cannot work because of your epilepsy, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.


What benefits can I claim if I have epilepsy?

If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy and you can't work and you expect to be unable to work for at least 12 months you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability benefits can provide money that you need to pay for things like housing, bills, food, and other expenses.

What benefits can I claim for epilepsy?

Read on for a short summary of each benefit with details of where to get further information.
  • Access to Work. ...
  • Attendance Allowance. ...
  • Blue Badge scheme. ...
  • Carer's Allowance. ...
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. ...
  • Disabled Facilities Grant. ...
  • Disabled Persons Railcard. ...
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)


What jobs can epileptics not do?

If you have seizures, you may not be able to do jobs that risk your safety or the safety of other people.
...
These include:
  • jobs that involve driving.
  • working at heights, near open water or fire.
  • working with unguarded machinery.


Can my employer fire me for having epilepsy?

You cannot be fired for having epilepsy. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the employment of a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Can people with epilepsy hold a job?

Many people with epilepsy are able to work and successfully carry out their job duties. Having occasional (or even fairly frequent) seizures may make your job hunt more challenging but not impossible. The better qualified you are for a position, the better your chances of success.

Does epilepsy affect memory?

Epilepsy has significant effects on retrieval from declarative memory, the kind that we process consciously. You may have difficulty in retrieving episodes or events that happened to you, and also have difficult in retrieving what scientists call "semantic information"-words or facts in general knowledge.


Can I get a blue badge with epilepsy?

A diagnosis of epilepsy will not result in automatic eligibility for a blue badge. Your application will need to include information regarding the frequency of the seizures, whether they are controlled by medication and whether the action of walking brings on a seizure.

Does having epilepsy affect car insurance?

Generally, your condition will not affect your car insurance rates. You are not even required to inform your auto insurer about your condition as long as you notify the DMV.

What is the average lifespan of a person with epilepsy?

Summary: On average, people with epilepsy live 10-12 years fewer than those who do not have the condition. Excess mortality is particularly pronounced among people with epilepsy and mental disorders. On average, people with epilepsy live 10-12 years fewer than those who do not have the condition.


Can I drive after having a seizure?

consider that could impact your daily activities and lifestyle: You must stop driving for a period of time if you have had a seizure, loss of consciousness, or any condition that may impair your ability to drive. Every state regulates the ability to drive with certain medical conditions.

Is epilepsy a lifelong disability?

Epilepsy is a lifelong condition that can negatively impact the quality of life of somebody living with it. For some people, their ability to work certain jobs, or work at all, can be impaired.

Does epilepsy get worse with age?

Does epilepsy get worse with age? If you were diagnosed with epilepsy while you were a child or a teenager, the condition is likely to eventually go away or become easier to control. That being said, it can get worse for some, while other people continue having occasional seizures for their whole lives.


Does epilepsy count as brain damage?

Although scientists and clinicians have long known that prolonged seizures, a condition referred to as "status epilepticus," kill brain cells, surprisingly little scientific evidence exists to support the notion that individual seizures do damage.

Why is epilepsy not a disability?

To qualify for either SSI or SSDI, epileptic seizures have to occur regularly (see below). Because epilepsy is often controlled with medication, it is not always a disabling illness. Social Security examiners will want to see evidence that your condition is disabling even though you are taking your medication.

Does epilepsy affect intelligence?

Eight of the 72 epileptic patients (11.1%), however, had a persistent decrease in IQ of 10 points or more.


Can a person with epilepsy live alone?

But just because epilepsy has its challenges, doesn't mean that independent living is impossible. Some people may live on their own, alone or with immediate families. Others may need a more structured or supervised living arrangement.

Does epilepsy cause anger issues?

Epilepsy (especially complex partial seizures) frequently has been associated with aggressive behavior in the minds of people in general and even in the medical literature.