Part II: Social and Emotional Aspects of Epilepsy

(Last part of second day, though practical coping skills are taught throughout the program.)

   The key principles of successful coping

Psychological problems of epilepsy

   Coping with the many unspoken fears about epilepsy

   Are these fears realistic? The scientific evidence

     Do people die from seizures?

     Do seizures hurt the brain or lower IQ?

   Depression: The most common emotional problem

   Does epilepsy cause personality changes?

   Do medications cause mood or behavioral problems?

Coping with psychological problems

   Fears and anxiety, Depression, Worry, Self-help, Finding help

   Finding personal and family success:

     The ONE THING you must watch out for

     Overcoming the barriers inside of you

     The real challenge of epilepsy, Putting epilepsy in its place

The following topics are covered in 3-day S.E.E. programs.

Key parts (not all) are included in 2-day S.E.E. programs.

Special S.E.E. psychosocial programs include all.

Some of this material is available in the S.E.E. Library

Family aspects of epilepsy (as time allows)

   The hidden ways epilepsy attacks family life

   Avoiding family pitfalls: Successful coping

   Overprotection and the famous family battle cry

   Childbearing, Is epilepsy inherited?

   Can medications or seizures cause birth defects?

   Raising a well adjusted child with epilepsy

Social aspects of epilepsy (as time allows)

   Where does stigma come from: society or self?

   Coping with stigma - communication skills

   Techniques for reducing stigma

   How you can create community acceptance 

Epilepsy on the job (as time allows)

   How epilepsy affects employability

     Safety on the job

     The problems of attitude and medications

   How to find employment - the right way

   Keeping employment - the real problem, what to do

Resources: Finding help

In your community, information on the Internet