Teens and Epilepsy

Teens with epilepsy deal with the same challenges that all teens have – driving, dating, sports, homework, alcohol and drugs, even getting their first job. They also face other challenges, like explaining seizures to other people, wondering how their friends are going to react and never knowing when the next seizure’s going to happen. If you’ve never asked a teen with epilepsy what it’s like, try it. You might be surprised at what you learn.

Fact: Teens with epilepsy play sports, hang out and go to regular schools.
A teen who is seizure free may be able to get a driver’s license.

Fact: Teens with epilepsy want to be respected by other teens and treated just like anybody else.

Fact: 45,000 children under the age of 15 develop epilepsy each year.

Fact: 326,000 schoolchildren through age 14 have epilepsy.

For more information on epilepsy incidence and prevalence figures, visit: www.epilepsyfoundation.org