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- Facts and Figures
- Workplace Challenges for People with Epilepsy
- Seizure Control
- Side Effects
- Social Stigma
- Patient Story - Epilepsy and the Workplace - Amanda
Having a career is essential. However, people with epilepsy face many obstacles that may limit career advancement. Research shows a significant number of adults with epilepsy are concerned about finding employment, and many feel they cannot work as much as they would like because of factors such as uncontrolled seizures, medication side effects and the social stigma associated with epilepsy. This demonstrates a need for treatment options that may help people live their lives with epilepsy, including in the workplace.
Facts and Figures
• Employment rates for people with epilepsy are low. Data from Germany, Italy and the United States indicate that of the people with epilepsy of working ages, only 40% to 60% of adults with epilepsy are employed
• Over 50% of people with moderately severe epilepsy list employment as a concern and over 20% consider it to be the most important concern in relation to having epilepsy
• A national, online survey conducted for Eisai Inc. of 367 adults with epilepsy being treated with one or more epilepsy medications found:
o 83% are of “working age” (between 18-58)
o Yet about half (51%) are prevented from participating in at least one routine activity as much as they would like, including working (34%)
Workplace Challenges for People with Epilepsy
Adults with epilepsy face several unique challenges in finding and maintaining employment, such as transportation needs, stress factors and whether or not to disclose epilepsy to employers, as well as being concerned with seizure control and medication side effects.
For example, the employment experiences of 245 adults with epilepsy were examined as part of a study on the rehabilitation needs of an epilepsy outpatient clinic. Respondents described a wide range of epilepsy-related workplace obstacles, including:
• Seizures affecting job-related activities
• Restricted career development blamed on epilepsy, specifically on the absence of a driver’s license
• An unpleasant atmosphere at work due to stigma
• Adverse side effects of medication that may affect work performance
Seizure Control
Seizure control is a major challenge for people with epilepsy trying to gain employment or advance a career:
• As seizure frequency increases, the proportion of people with epilepsy who are employed decreases
• Patients with controlled seizures are more likely to be employed and less likely to experience job problems
• Of those with uncontrolled seizures, 50% experience job problems
Side Effects
Even those who achieve seizure control may experience side effects that impact work life. Finding a treatment that offers seizure control and minimal side effects may be beneficial to people with epilepsy looking to begin a career:
• A national, online survey of 367 adults with epilepsy reported 46% of respondents experience medication side effects that can impair their ability to perform daily activities, including sleepiness (48%) and fogginess or lack of clear headedness (35%)
• The survey also found that of the 46% of respondents who experienced side effects, 57% said they cannot work as much as they would like
Social Stigma
Social stigma and exclusion in the workplace are a reality for people with epilepsy. For example:
• Coworkers of people with epilepsy worry about a sudden, unpredictable event and providing first aid
• While employees with epilepsy do not have poor attendance records or high numbers of accidents in the workplace, their salaries appear to be lower than the earnings of colleagues who hold comparable jobs.
PATIENT STORY
EPILEPSY AND THE WORKPLACE - AMANDA
Growing up, Amanda loved to read the classics and write. But when she developed epilepsy, Amanda realized there may be obstacles ahead in achieving her academic goals and was committed to work harder to get what she wanted.
Amanda experienced her first seizure at age 10. Since her diagnosis, Amanda has been on several medications to manage her epilepsy, but seizures have eventually persisted. Over the years, Amanda’s doctors increased her doses and prescribed different medications in an attempt to relieve her seizures, but eventually she became refractory to the drugs she tried.
After experiencing multiple seizures in a day during college, Amanda consulted her neurologist. After discussing Amanda’s possible future goal of attending graduate school, her neurologist recommended Zonegran because her neurologist thought it would meet her needs.
Since adding Zonegran to her treatment regimen, Amanda has had a good response, which has helped her with full-time employment as a library assistant following college graduation. Amanda is able to focus and concentrate on her work, with relative ease.* She enjoys her career and says she has “a full, good life.”
“I have accepted epilepsy as a part of my life,” said Amanda. “Aspects of my life would be better or much easier without epilepsy, but I will not let it stop me from being independent and achieving my goals.”
Amanda has moved from Colorado, where she grew up, to Boston. She appreciates the independence that comes with city life. Amanda’s current neurologist, Dr. Montouris, is pleased with her results and considers her experience a motivating example for others with epilepsy. “Amanda took charge of her health and succeeded in controlling the effect epilepsy had on her life. She is an example of how being proactive in one’s treatment is an important step to achieving life goals.”
To read more about Amanda’s physician, click here.
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