Life Hacks: Telling New Friends

It’s great meeting new people, gaining new friends and spending time with different people. But how easy is it telling them about your epilepsy for the first time? We asked you for your top tips and here’s the real life, tried and tested life-hacks you shared. 

Do you have a life hack? Share in the comments below.

1. Try to mention it early on. Sometimes it helps to be all casual about it so they don’t think they need to be a doctor to be friends with you.
2. Be open and honest from the start. It’s nothing to be embarrassed or afraid about.
3. Explain your exact type of epilepsy and how it affects you.
4. Be comfortable telling them when you’re feeling unwell so that they know how to spot signs and what to do.
5. Be totally honest. Don’t be ashamed. New people in your life need to know how to help you – they may need to tell you about ways you can help them too.
6. Be up front about it. You’ll be able to tell if they’re good friends from how they react.
7. They may feel like they don’t know how to help you, so give them a few pointers on how to keep you safe – as that’s all you’ll really need them to do. Tell them to move objects out of your way if you have a seizure.
8. Give some simple instructions, so they don’t panic. Maybe tell them to time your seizure, not to restrain you and give you safe space.
What’s the best way to tell a new friend or partner about my epilepsy?
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