Results show that the severity of impairment has a strong impact on skills such as autonomy, independence, and social development. Seizures and impairments resulting from the seizures interrupted and derailed day-to-day tasks and participants' ability to complete them. 

Physical and Functional Factors

Living with epilepsy has negative effects on self-esteem. However, participants did report positive feelings and interactions in their daily lives. This manifested in support from families and friends - these served as protective factors against the stressors of living with epilepsy. 

Internal Factors

In addition to physical and functional impairments, the participants experienced social effects as well. These effects were created because of societal barriers to participation such as inaccessible transport systems and being viewed as a burden by society. 

Social Factors

Despite the barriers and struggles the participants experienced daily, most did not view themselves as less capable or worse off than their peers. This mindset was bolstered by peer and family support, positive thinking, and being able to partake in leisure activities (such as going to the movies with friends and using social media). 

Living With Epilepsy in Adolescence Conclusions

A 2019 study on adolescent epilepsy experience in Singapore. The study was a quantitative research review of the effects of childhood epilepsy on internal and external problems, psychiatric diagnosis, quality of life, social skills, and academic success as compared to the participants' peers.

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, resulting in seizures, unusual behavior, sensations, and lack of awareness. Symptoms may vary widely, and at least 2 seizures without a known cause at least 24 hours apart are usually required for an epilepsy diagnoses.

Epilepsy

Chew, J., Carpenter, J., &amp; Haase, A. M. (2019). Living with epilepsy in adolescence-a qualitative study of young people's experiences in Singapore: Peer socialization, autonomy, and self-esteem. Child: Care, Health and Development, 45(2), 241–250. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12648 

Living With Epilepsy in Adolescence

In about half of cases, epilepsy has no identifiable cause. In the other half, epilepsy may be caused by genetic influence, head trauma, brain abnormalities, infections, prenatal injury, or developmental disorders

Epilepsy Causes

Symptoms of epilepsy vary widely. In most cases, an individual's seizure symptoms will be similar each time. Seizures can be categorized to focal seizures and generalized seizures.

Epilepsy Symptoms

Anyone can have epilepsy, regardless of gender, race, and age. Common risk factors are age, family history, head injuries, stroke/vascular diseases, dementia, brain infections, and seizures in childhood.

Epilepsy Risk Factors

Some complications are common, and result from having seizures at certain times. These include falling, drowning, car accidents, pregnancy complications, and emotional health issues.

Common Epilepsy Complications

Some complications of epilepsy are uncommon, but are life-threatening. These include status epilepticus and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

Uncommon Epilepsy Complications

The primary methods of treatment for epilepsy include anti-seizure medication, surgery, and therapy.

Epilepsy Treatments

People with epilepsy experience a higher than average amount of certain mood and psychological disorders. Some of these result directly from the effects of the abnormal brain activity seizures stem from, while others are secondary effects. However, most epileptics find they have no abnormal emotional or psychological symptoms.

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