An FP’s guide to caring for patients with seizure and epilepsy

Epilepsy as a spectrum disorder

The higher prevalence of comorbid cognitive and psychiatric conditions in patients with epilepsy, affecting about half of patients, ⁵² suggests that seizures may constitute only one aspect of a multifaceted disease that otherwise should be considered a spectrum disorder. Among such conditions are memory deficits, depression, and anxiety. Conversely, epilepsy is more common in patients with depression than in those without. ⁵²

Social impact of epilepsy

De-escalation of treatment offers an equivalent, resource-sparing alternative to traditional treatment of pediatric torus fractures of the distal radius.

Vehicle driving regulations. Patients with epilepsy are required to follow state law regarding driving restrictions. Different states have different rules and regulations about driving restrictions and reporting requirements (by patients or their physicians). Refer patients to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in their state of residence for up-to-date instructions.⁵³ The Epilepsy Foundation (epilepsy.com) can serve as a resource for each state’s DMV website.

Employment assistance. Having epilepsy should not preclude patients from seeking employment and pursuing meaningful careers. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) forbid discrimination against qualified people with disabilities, including those with epilepsy, and require reasonable accommodations in the workplace (www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/­epilepsy-workplace-and-ada).⁵⁴

CORRESPONDENCE
Gholam K. Motamedi, MD, Department of Neurology, PHC 7, Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007; motamedi@georgetown.edu