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EXAMPLES OF BROAD KNOWLEDGE AREAS FOR PEOPLE WITHEPILEPSY AND THEIR FAMILIES

Basic Educational Needs of All People with Epilepsy

Epilepsyseizure type, syndrome, causes

Treatment and managementoptions, medications, devices, surgery, dietary modifications, side

effects, treatment discontinuation, seizure triggers, risk for suicidal ideation associated with

medications, other management strategies

Safety risksrisk assessment, seizure first aid, injury prevention, equipment to prevent injury

Mortality riskssudden unexpected death in epilepsy, status epilepticus, seizure-related injury,

suicide

Healthy lifestylegeneral health, sleep, fatigue, physical exercise

Possible comorbidities

o Mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression, attention problems, behavior problems,

psychosis, seizure-like events with a psychological basis)

o Cognitive (e.g., memory, information processing problems, learning problems)

o Neurological (e.g., stroke, autism spectrum disorders, migraine)

o Somatic (e.g., heart disease, bone health)

Social concernsengaging new friends, seizures in social settings, telling others, family burden,

stigma

Emotional responsecoping, dealing with fears, stress management

Available informational and community resourceswebsites, state and local Epilepsy Foundation

affiliates, community agencies, health care providers

Specific Educational Needs for Population Subgroups

Children, adolescents, and youth transitioning to adulthood

Schoolmanaging seizures at school, common learning problems, safety, participation in

extracurricular activities

Mental healthattention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, social

withdrawal

Dealing with fearsfuture, death, mental health conditions, stigma

Lifestyle managementestablishing healthy habits

Opportunity to discuss sensitive information, such as puberty, sexuality, drugs, and alcohol

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Career planning

Transition to adulthood, such independence and driving

Adults

Career and vocational concerns

Discussions with employers

Driving regulations and transportation concerns

Sexual and gender-specific topics, such as reproductive health and family planning, hormonal

changes and seizure frequency, effects of seizure medications on pregnancy

Drug-alcohol interactions

Impact on relationships

Independent living

Older adults

Medication side effects, adverse interactions, and adherence

Drug-alcohol interactions

Independent living

Safety and injury risks