title: The lived experience of initial symptoms of and factors triggering epileptic seizures.
abstract: The aim of this study was to document the self-perception of initial symptoms of and factors triggering epileptic seizures in a sample of people with epilepsy (PWE) and their carers. Among 600 participants, questionnaires were returned by 309 (51.5%), of whom 72.8% were PWE and 27.2% were carers and others. Experiencing at least one symptom prior to a seizure was reported by 86.9% of PWE and 74% of carers. The most common symptoms were a funny feeling, confusion, and anxiety. Experiencing one trigger that resulted in a seizure was reported by 89.8% of PWE and 85.5% of carers. The most common triggers were tiredness, stress, and sleep deprivation. Among PWE and their carers, 63.6% and 51.3%, respectively, indicated that they can tell when a seizure is about to occur, and 26.7% and 15.4%, respectively, indicated that they felt they could stop a seizure. The most common techniques were resting, medication, and relaxation.
authors: The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria, 818 Burke Road, Camberwell, 3124 Victoria, Australia. jpinikahana@epilepsy.asn.au
authors: Jaya
authors: J
authors: Pinikahana
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Dono
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers; D002415:Cats; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004285:Dogs; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005190:Family; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult