This document discusses epilepsy, its causes, prevention, and the role of occupational therapy. It defines epilepsy as abnormal neuronal discharge in the brain that can cause loss of consciousness or odd behavior. Risk factors include premature birth, brain infections, abnormal brain structures, cerebral palsy, hypoxia, brain tumors, stroke, and drug abuse. Occupational therapy focuses on safety, adaptations to the home, relaxation techniques, exercise, routine management, leisure activities, and support groups to help epileptic patients live independently and cope with emotional and cognitive challenges.

1. EPILEPSY: DEFINITION,
PREVENTION AND ROLE OF
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
MADE BY: SARA SHEIKH
4TH YEAR STUDENT
(OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY)
DOW UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH
SCIENCES

2. WHAT IS EPILEPSY?
Epilepsy is an assortment of different types of seizures
originating from several mechanisms that have in
common the sudden excessive discharge of cerebral
neurons. It may result in:
• Loss of consciousness
• Atypical or Odd behavior
• Distorted perceptions

3. CAUSES OF EPILEPSY
Epilepsy has no definite cause. However, some risk
factors can be given:
• Premature infants
• Brain infections (meningitis, encephalitis)
• Infants with abnormal brain structures
• Cerebral palsy
• Hypoxia
• Brain tumors
• Stroke due to arterial blockage (Hemorrhage)
• Drug abuse
• Family history of epilepsy

4. POSSIBLE PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
• Educating would-be mothers about balanced diet, proper
medications and hygiene.
• Ensure immediate consultancy if an infant is suspected of
hypoxia or is premature.
• Educating the public about possible indications of brain
tumors or stroke and ensure immediate diagnosis and
treatment, if present.
• Educating the public about side effects of drug abuse.

5. PROBLEMS DUE TO EPILEPSY
An epileptic patient encounters
Emotional, Behavioral and
Cognitive problems more than
Physical.
• Social withdrawal can occur in
both children and adults due to
fear of exposure.
• Denial to the disease may
occur.

6. • Mood disorders such as
Depression, Aggression or Bipolar
disorder may develop due to
excessive brooding.
• Personality changes such as
Avoidance, Dependence or
Antisocial behavior may also
occur.

7. • Routine Management, Work Coping
and Executive skills can be adversely
affected, leaving the person at a loss
as to his aim in life.
• Memory disturbances can be very
exhausting.
• The epileptic person may face
neglect from the family and friends,
which may lower his/her self-esteem.
• Postural deformities or contractures
may develop in some cases.

8. ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY
The primary emphasis of occupational therapy is on Independent
Living, be the client may living with the family or alone.
For epileptics, Safety is of prime consideration.
Occupational therapists are able to advise people on how to
create a safe environment by helping them consider risks,
safety equipment and helping them adapt the risky areas of the
home.

9. Basic Safety Precautions
• Instruct the patient and the family to place a card with the patient’s
name, address and phone number of a relative in his/her pocket
whenever he/she goes outside, so the contact may easily be
established in case of a seizure.
• A cell phone must be with the patient when he is outside, and
essential phone numbers (any close relative, hospital emergency
etc.) should be fed in. moreover, the family should be instructed to
keep tabs on the epileptic person by calling time to time.
• The family should be guided as to the maintenance of correct
posture during seizure and to remain calm.

10. Adaptations for Kitchen
• Use oven mitts and cook only on rear
burners
• If possible, use an electric stove, so there
is no open flame
• Cooking in a microwave is the safest
option
• Carpet the kitchen floor. This can provide
cushioning in case of fall
• Use plastic containers rather than glass
when possible

11. Adaptations for Bathroom
• Install a temperature controlling
device. This will keep the patient
from burning if a seizure occurs.
• Carpet the floor rather than tiling
for a soft fall in case of a seizure.
• Do not lock the bathroom door.
• Use a handheld shower or a
bathroom seat instead of a tub.

12. Relaxation and Exercise
• The occupational therapist can
guide the epileptic person through a
series of Relaxation techniques like
Deep Breathing, Massage and
Meditation. This will help the
patient to reduce stress and divert
the mind away from negative and
fearful thoughts.
• Light exercises may help the patient
maintain fitness and prevent
possible deformities.

13. Routine Management and Organization
The occupational therapist can help the epileptic person in setting
and maintaining a routine by making use of Routine boards,
Counseling and Graded tasks involving Organization and
Routine.

14. Vocation
Diversional activities, Leisure activities will help to increase
Coping Skills, Executive skills and reduce Depression or
Aggressive behavior.
Children will especially benefit a lot from these.

15. Groups
Groups of epileptic patients, or groups of patients with a variety
of disorders will help the epileptic patients understand that
they are not the only one suffering.
It will help increase their Self Esteem and Socialization and will
reduce Fear of Exposure.

16. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
• Epileptic patients should not be alone while swimming or
doing exercise.
• They should be supervised at night. A person can supervise
the patient or the patient can use alarms that are set off by
seizures.
• Medicine compliance should be regularly checked.

17. THANK YOU