Epilepsy and Relationships

At Epilepsy Warriors, I understand that living with epilepsy can impact relationships in various ways. Whether you have epilepsy yourself or someone close to you does, navigating relationships while managing the condition can be challenging.

Epilepsy can affect intimacy, communication, and daily interactions with loved ones. It's essential to have open conversations and mutual understanding to maintain healthy relationships.

How does epilepsy affect relationships?

Epilepsy can lead to uncertainty, stress, and changes in roles within relationships. Some partners or family members may struggle with fear or anxiety about seizures, while others may take on caregiving responsibilities.

 

Tips for maintaining strong relationships
Communication, education, and support are key. Encourage open dialogue about feelings, fears, and needs. Learn about epilepsy together to enhance understanding. Seek professional support if necessary.

Things to consider whilst in a relationship with someone with epilepsy

There may be things you have to consider like planning travel in more detail, certain activties your partner may not be able to do this may be definitive or from day to day, AEDS can affect libido, mood, effectiveness or ability to use certain birth control, hormone imbalance, possibility of fertility or ability to become pregnant.

Friendships and socialising 

Epilepsy can have an affect on social cognition this means that it can be difficult for the individual to predict or understand their own behaviour or the that of others in a social context for example: be unaware of social cues, sometimes have a lack of emotional understanding, become unpredictable in conversation (loss of speech, become confused, lose control, become distracted, seem as though they arent listening.) Brain fog is also a response and symptom of epilepsy which includes: finding it hard to put thoughts into words, poor memory, hard to comprehend conversation or words, hard to focus, hazy thoughts. Taking all this into consideration aswell as the unpredictable nature of seizures and further symptoms of epilepsy a person with epilepsy may need to: Suddenly cancel plans, need to take a rest from conversation, not participate or leave early from events. If you need to do these things in a social setting then remember your health comes first, you come first and those who love and care for you should not make you feel bad about needing to this for yourself.

Ready to Strengthen Your Relationships?

Explore resources and support to navigate epilepsy and relationships with confidence.