If I develop epilepsy after brain injury, what other kinds of problems will I have?
One major consequence of having epilepsy is the inability to drive a car. Any condition that causes driving to be unsafe will usually result in a suspension of a driver’s license. This is especially true for epilepsy where a person could have a sudden loss of consciousness or lapse in attention while driving. Each state has its own laws about driving, and you need to discuss this with your doctor. In all cases, when the seizures are brought under control for some period of time, driving can resume safely and legally.
It is also necessary for anyone with seizures to be careful not to do anything that will be particularly dangerous if a seizure occurs. This includes swimming by oneself, working dangerous machinery, climbing on roofs, etc. It is necessary to use good judgments when determining what is safe and what is not. Sometimes, even taking a bath in an unsupervised situation can be very dangerous and could result in drowning.
Some people with epilepsy have experienced discrimination in getting jobs or education or in obtaining medical insurance because of their condition. This is illegal in most cases unless the epilepsy itself prevents you from doing a particular job, such as needing to drive for a specific job. If you think you are experiencing discrimination you should contact your local Epilepsy Foundation chapter for help.