Is epilepsy a physical or mental disability?

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.

Is epilepsy considered a physical disability?

Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.

Why is epilepsy not a disability?

To qualify for either SSI or SSDI, epileptic seizures have to occur regularly (see below). Because epilepsy is often controlled with medication, it is not always a disabling illness. Social Security examiners will want to see evidence that your condition is disabling even though you are taking your medication.

Is epilepsy covered under the disability Act?

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).

Does epilepsy qualify for long term disability?

Proving Epilepsy As A Disability. To get approved for long term disability, your insurance company will require proof of your condition, symptoms, and impact on your job performance. This evidence can come in a few forms: proof of diagnosis; additional testing; proof of appropriate treatment; and personal documentation ...

What Really Causes Epilepsy?

Can I lose my job due to epilepsy?

We know that some people with epilepsy will not be able to work due to the severity of their condition. However, for many others there are few jobs that their epilepsy would prevent them from doing. However, people with epilepsy can struggle to find employment more than many other disabled people.

What is physical disability?

Physical disability indicates any physical limitations or disabilities that inhibit the physical function of one or more limbs of a certain person. It can be temporary or permanent. The causes of this kind of disease are various.

Is epilepsy a disease or a disorder?

Epilepsy is a common disorder of the brain that causes repeated seizures. It is sometimes called a seizure disorder. A seizure is a short change in normal brain activity.

Can epilepsy lead to mental illness?

Between 30 and 50 percent of children with epilepsy will develop a behavioral or mental health problem. The types of behavioral problems associated with epilepsy include attention deficit, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, aggression, and autism spectrum disorder.

What kind of disorder is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness.

Do epileptics have a shorter lifespan?

Reduction in life expectancy can be up to 2 years for people with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.

Does epilepsy change your personality?

Many people with epilepsy experience disagreeable changes in their emotions, and the link between mood disorders and epilepsy has been observed for more than 2,000 years. While this link has been noticed for many years, the relationship between seizures and mood disorders has not been well understood until recently.

Does epilepsy make you angry?

Epilepsy (especially complex partial seizures) frequently has been associated with aggressive behavior in the minds of people in general and even in the medical literature.

Can a person live a normal life with epilepsy?

Most people with epilepsy live a full life. However, the risk of early death is higher for some. We know that the best possible seizure control and living safely can reduce the risk of epilepsy-related death.

Does epilepsy get worse with age?

The incidence of any type of seizure increases substantially over the age of 60, commonly due to other neurological conditions such as dementia or stroke.

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.

What are 5 physical disabilities?

What are the 21 types of physical disabilities?

What are physical and mental disabilities?

The term "physical or mental impairment" includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, and drug addiction and ...

Can I drive with epilepsy?

To drive, you must meet all normal driving requirements and must have been completely free of seizures for one year, with or without taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Different regulations may apply if your seizures do not affect your consciousness (see below).

What jobs can people with epilepsy get?

Are people with epilepsy discriminated against?

' People with epilepsy are protected under the Equality Act 2010, which makes discrimination unlawful. This includes discrimination on the basis of disability.

Does epilepsy cause memory loss?

Many people with epilepsy also experience memory problems. Patients often experience retrograde amnesia, where they cannot remember what happened immediately before their seizure.

Is epilepsy related to autism?

Yes, there is an association between epilepsy and autism. Children with autism are (a little) more likely to have epilepsy. Children with epilepsy are (a little) more likely to have autism. Seizures are the most common neurologic complication in ASD.

Can epilepsy cause bipolar?

Another common mood disorder in people with epilepsy is bipolar affective disorder. It is characterized by two types of symptoms: depression and mania.