How has the diagnosis of epilepsy aff... - Epilepsy South Af...

Epilepsy South Africa

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How has the diagnosis of epilepsy affected your career?

30 Voters

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12 Replies

I had to stop working as my epilepsy was uncontrollable.

Sorry to hear the above, but hope you are managing to stay under control in the meantime. Keep well and keep in touch.

Epilepsy didn't affect my career whilst I was employed. My bosses were extremely helpful and understood the affect a seizure had on me. During those days, the seizures were short and didn't last long. Today, job opportunities are difficult to find, as many recruitment agencies etc. immediately react, i.e. we are all skilled in our own right and are all entitled to employment, but with the stigma today, very little jobs can be found.

Latha profile image
Latha

Epilepsy and migrain have compromised one's schooling career and still disturb one at university. Nonetheless, one is confident that there will be victory.

SimpZ profile image
SimpZ

I have been turned away by at least 4 job interviews because of my epilepsy and not being able to drive due to the siezures

Please make contact with the nearest Epilepsy South Africa Branches as they provide information, supportive services and can advoacte also issues facing wrt employment. You can also submit your cv to your local Epilepsy South Africa Branch and it will be palced on a database. Our share call number 0860 364 537.

I cannot find a job everyone who hears I have Epilepsy turns me away

glad17 profile image
glad17 in reply to

I am also an epileptic patient but controlled and I also have the same problems.I have diploma in office adminiostration but I dont have a job because of my status, companies dont give me a chance

daan profile image
daan

I am an epileptic but controlled for the past 12 yrs, I go on normally with my work, my company knows about my status.

bjks2005 profile image
bjks2005

i have worked a lifetime 32 years for one company, out of the blue i started getting seizure needless to say it changed my life for the worst. companies don't dismiss you for health reasons, they simply set you up and this is for obvious reasons. today I have all the skills yet cannot be employed it is an unforgiving ailment.

Tdevilliers profile image
Tdevilliers in reply to bjks2005

Hi - you cannot allow this condition to control you - you need to be on top of it and take control of your life and condition. You need to remain positive and determined to succeed. Epilepsy is only a condition and it became a psychological barrier in my life which took me to a low point in my life. I did not have the info or advice at the time but I became determined and it took a few years of self development for me to understand that we do things in life which can make you more susceptible to having seizures. I started keeping a diary and, after having a seizure, I think back over the past 24 or even 48 hours to try and identify what I may have done, eaten or drunk, which may stimulate a seizure I.e. Alcohol (too much red wine is one of mine), stress, lack of sleep, anxiety, etc. If you can figure this out, you may be able to eventually work out a threshold I.e how far can you push it. Also, try to identify if you get a warning beforehand I.e strange sensation, smell, electric twitching sensation in the brain, tremor, etc. When you start understanding your condition and managing it better, you may find your seizure frequencies will start to drop. I used to have on per month it sometimes have one per year. Keep cool, keep working and you will succeed. Stress and anxiety are big contributors to seizures.

Regards Tim

MDSCARVALHAL profile image
MDSCARVALHAL

I wanted to go into tourism but the stress levels in that line of work is way to high so I landed up doing beauty therapy