Lifestyle and epilepsy triggers

Identifying lifestyle triggers can help decrease their impact on seizures.

It is important to identify these triggers and minimise their impact. See general advice on how to make wise lifestyle choices in the educational video Living well with epilepsy.

Common triggers

  • Lack of sleep
  • Missing medications
  • Alcohol and illegal drugs. Heavy drinking can cause seizures, and can also interact with anti-epileptic medications making them less effective. Heavy drinking is also associated with disrupted sleep patterns, a common trigger.
  • Flashing lights. This is called photosensitive epilepsy and affects 3-5% of people with epilepsy.

Managing seizures

  • Ensure you get enough sleep. The Sleep Health Foundation has helpful information on adolescent sleep and developing good sleep habits:
  • Take your medications regularly. Make taking medicines part of your routine – just prior to breakfast and dinner, or when you brush your teeth.
  • A medication reminder chart or other alerts can help.
  • Medication boxes are also helpful.
  • When you are legally allowed to drink, adopt sensible drinking attitudes.
  • Avoid using illegal drugs.
  • In situations where there are flashing lights and you have symptoms, remove yourself from that situation and let your family and friends know how you are feeling.

Other resources