Overview: Epilepsy is defined as recurrent (two or more) unprovoked seizures.
Epilepsy is unequivocally disqualifying for all flying duties
. A single unprovoked convulsion may be sufficient to constitute a diagnosis of a seizure disorder for military purposes.
What is a good job for someone with epilepsy?
Safety-Sensitive Jobs & the Americans with Disabilities Act. People with epilepsy are successfully employed in a variety of jobs that might be considered high-risk:
police officer, firefighter, welder, butcher, construction worker
, etc.
Can someone with epilepsy join the army?
Epilepsy sufferers are also prohibited from joining the armed forces
, though they may work in certain civilian military positions. Employment issues are responsible for 85% of the cost of epilepsy on society. In the United States, the median income for persons with epilepsy is 93% that of all persons.
Can someone with epilepsy join the National Guard?
According to the Department of Defense, the military discriminates against people with epilepsy because it wants military people
to be available for worldwide service at any time
and with few limitations.
Is epilepsy a protected disability?
Individuals with epilepsy are covered under the ADA, since epilepsy is a
physiological disorder
affecting the neurological system. Persons with seizure disorders therefore have an impairment that substantially limits participation in a major life activity (i.e., working).
How does a person with epilepsy behave?
Many people who have epilepsy experience dysphoric episodes. These episodes, which can last between a few hours and a few days, consist of
depressive moods, irritability, lack of energy, pain, anxiety, insomnia, and euphoric moods
.
What should you avoid if you have epilepsy?
- Missing medication doses.
- Heavy alcohol use.
- Cocaine, ecstasy, or other illegal drugs.
- Lack of sleep.
- Other medicines that interfere with seizure medications.
Can epilepsy be cured?
There’s no cure for epilepsy
, but early treatment can make a big difference. Uncontrolled or prolonged seizures can lead to brain damage.
Does epilepsy go away?
While many forms of epilepsy require lifelong treatment to control the seizures,
for some people the seizures eventually go away
. The odds of becoming seizure-free are not as good for adults or for children with severe epilepsy syndromes, but it is possible that seizures may decrease or even stop over time.
Can I join the military with ADHD?
While ADHD alone does not disqualify a person from military service, the Department of Defense (DOD)
places significant enlistment restrictions on individuals with an ADHD diagnosis
and/or prior treatment with medication. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.
Can my employer fire me for having epilepsy?
Can I be fired for having epilepsy?
You cannot be fired for having epilepsy
. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the employment of a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
Do I need to tell my employer I have epilepsy?
No.
The ADA does not require applicants to voluntarily disclose
that they have epilepsy or another disability unless they will need a reasonable accommodation for the application process (for example, permission to bring a service animal to an interview).
Is epilepsy a mental illness?
Epilepsy is not a mental illness
. In fact, the vast majority of people living with epilepsy have no cognitive or psychological problem. For the most part, psychological issues in epilepsy are limited to people with severe and uncontrolled epilepsy.
Does epilepsy worsen with age?
Age:
Adults over the age of 60 may experience an increased risk for epileptic seizures
, as well as related complications. Family history: Epilepsy is often genetic. If you have a family member who experienced epilepsy-related complications, then your own risk may be higher.
What is the root cause of epilepsy?
What causes epilepsy? In general, epilepsy and seizures result
from abnormal circuit activity in the brain
. Any event ranging from faulty wiring during brain development, brain inflammation, physical injury or infection can lead to seizure and epilepsy.
Does epilepsy affect memory?
Over time, repeated temporal lobe seizures can cause the part of the brain that’s
responsible for learning and memory
(hippocampus) to shrink. Brain cell loss in this area may cause memory problems.
