Supporting Loved Ones with Absence Seizures: Tips and Advice

Living with a loved one who experiences absence seizures can be challenging, but with the right support and understanding, you can help them navigate through their condition with ease. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and advice on how to support your loved one with absence seizures.

1. Educate Yourself: One of the most important things you can do to support your loved one with absence seizures is to educate yourself about the condition. Learn about what triggers the seizures, how to recognize when they are happening, and what to do to help make life a little easier for your loved one.

2. Be Patient and Understanding: Absence seizures can be confusing for the person experiencing them especially after a recent diagnosis. It's essential to be patient and understanding with your loved one whilst they adjust and come to terms with their condition. Reassure them that you are there for them and that you will support them through this.

3. Create a Safe Environment: Some people with absence seizures lose grip during and can have complications cooking and making cups of tea or coffee due to losing grip during the absence seizures. With photosensitive Absence Seizures consider only watching TV in a well lit room instead of a movie night in the dark.

4. Encourage Treatment and Medication Adherence: Encourage your loved one to follow their treatment plan and take their medications as prescribed. Offer to help them keep track of their appointments and medications to ensure they are managing their condition effectively.

5. Communicate with Healthcare Providers: Stay in touch with your loved one's healthcare providers and communicate any changes or concerns you may have about their condition. This will ensure that they are receiving the best possible care and treatment for their absence seizures.

6. Support Their Emotional Well-being: Living with a chronic condition like absence seizures can take a toll on your loved one's emotional well-being. Offer emotional support, be a good listener, and encourage them to seek help from a Mental Health Charity or their local Mental Health Team. With Epilepsy being neurological there is some research that suggests a link between Epilepsy and an increased chance of Anxiety, Depression and Panic and certain epilepsy medications like Perampanel (Fycompa) and Levetiracetam (Keppra) have mood-related side effects. By following these tips and providing the right support, you can help your loved one with absence seizures manage their condition effectively and improve their quality of life. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there are resources and support available to help you navigate through this together.