National Epilepsy Awareness Month is observed in November. More than three million people in the U.S., and over 65 million people worldwide, live with epilepsy. People with epilepsy have seizures, unexpected electrical “storms” in the brain.

Seizures impact their lives in many ways including creating barriers to employment and education and facing a sense of discrimination and isolation from their peers who donʼt understand what happens when they see a seizure occur.

The Epilepsy Foundation promotes education and awareness about epilepsy. Their goal is to help everyone understand what a seizure looks like and what to do if they see someone having a seizure. The more everyone talks about epilepsy, the less people living with the condition have to fear discrimination, worry about receiving improper first aid, or keep their epilepsy hidden in the shadows.

The Epilepsy Foundations wants all people with epilepsy to know the extent of treatment options to help control their seizures. While most people living with epilepsy are well controlled on their first anti-seizure medication, people who live with difficult to control seizures are not often aware of the latest treatment options. The Foundation encourages people with epilepsy to seek out epilepsy specialists to ensure they are taking advantage of the latest and greatest options to achieve freedom from seizures and freedom for side effects.

The Epilepsy Foundation advocates for more attention and money to be dedicated to epilepsy research and the acceleration of new therapies. One-third of people living with epilepsy have seizures that cannot be controlled with current treatments, and all people living with epilepsy have the risk of a potential “breakthrough” seizure. The uncertainty of when and where the next seizure may occur has a dramatic impact on the lives of all people living with epilepsy and on their loved ones. The Foundation encourage leaders to focus on increasing funding for research toward better seizure treatments and a cure for epilepsy.

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