Epilepsy — Personal Experience, Mortality, and Research

In my experience, my epilepsy began at birth due to a lack of oxygen. I had seizures throughout childhood until age 12, then they stopped for many years. When I was 31, they returned and continued until I was 43. Thankfully, I have now been seizure-free.

I once met someone who had their first seizure during a driving lesson, showing how unpredictable epilepsy can be. It is a complex condition affecting each person differently.

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Mortality & SUDEP

• Life expectancy may be 10–12 years shorter for people with epilepsy.

• Mortality 2–3× higher than in the general population.

• Average annual mortality ~1.23%.

• Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) ~1 in 1,000 per year.

Important context: Many live long lives, become seizure-free, and manage epilepsy successfully. Risk depends on seizure frequency/severity, medication, other health conditions, type/underlying cause, and access to care.

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Seizure Severity & Types

• Mild → Major: Seizures vary in severity.

• Absence (petit mal): short lapses in awareness

• Tonic-clonic (grand mal): full-body convulsions

• Chronic tonic: prolonged stiffness

• Each type may have unique triggers and first-aid measures.

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Causes, Triggers & Research

Causes & triggers: stress, anxiety, sleep disruption, brain injury, genetics. Seizures are highly individual and may resemble panic attacks in some symptoms.

Research & advanced topics:

• Genetics, genomics, neuropsychology, brain imaging (Epilepsy Society UK)

• Epilepsy phenome/genome project

• Neuromodulation & brain stimulation (vagal nerve, deep brain stimulation)

• Seizure prediction with AI/ML/deep learning (EEG signal analysis)

• Status epilepticus, reflex epilepsy, kindling model

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Support & Resources

• UK: Epilepsy Society – www.epilepsysociety.org.uk

• US: Epilepsy Foundation – www.epilepsy.com

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Quiz / Knowledge Check

Multiple Choice

1. What is the medical definition of epilepsy?
   a) One-time seizure from fever
   b) Neurological condition with ≥2 unprovoked seizures ✅
   c) Psychological disorder from stress
   d) Movement disorder unrelated to the brain

2. Which is not a type of seizure onset?
   a) Focal onset
   b) Generalized onset
   c) Reflex onset
   d) Unknown onset ✅

3. Which may trigger a seizure?
   a) Adequate sleep
   b) High stress/anxiety ✅
   c) Quiet music
   d) Balanced diet

4. Which seizure type is sudden lapses in awareness without major motor activity?
   a) Tonic-clonic
   b) Atonic
   c) Absence ✅
   d) Myoclonic

5. When should emergency medical attention be considered?
   a) Seizure >5 mins ✅
   b) Only if unconscious
   c) Only at night
   d) Never

Short Answer / Easy Read Questions

6. What is an absence seizure?

7. How long do absence seizures usually last?

8. Name one sign of an absence seizure.

9. Can adults have absence seizures?

10. Which part of the body is affected during a seizure?

11. Name one trigger for an absence seizure.

12. How can doctors help someone with absence seizures?

13. Why might a seizure diary be useful?

14. How can schools support someone with absence seizures?

15. Name one organization that gives information about seizures.

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Research Resources