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Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is an intermittent disorder of the nervous system due presumably to a sudden, excessive, disorderly discharge of cerebral neurons. This discharge results in an almost instantaneous disturbance of sensation, loss of consciousness, convulsive movements, or some combination thereof. Epilepsy can be a symptom of a brain disease that also manifests itself in other ways, or it can be an isolated condition of abnormal cerebral function in an individual who is otherwise perfectly healthy. It is important to keep in mind that a convulsion occurring in absence of other symptoms is not likely to indicate an underlying brain disease. The causes of epilepsy are not clear. Seizures can occur for many reasons, including damage to the brain due to infection, injury, birth trauma, tumor, stroke, drug intoxication, and chemical imbalance. There are different types of epileptic seizure, including the petit mal, a mild form of seizure in which dizziness or staring into space takes place; grand mal, a seizure that causes severe convulsions and loss of consciousness or coma; Jacksonian, a seizure that causes spasms that are mainly limited to one side of the body and often to one muscle group; and psychomotor, a seizure in which patient performs motor acts which he cannot remember. Most women with epilepsy can become pregnant, and have a 90 percent or better chance of having a normal, healthy baby. However, they should discuss their epilepsy and the medications they are taking with their doctors. Once epilepsy is diagnosed, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. People with epilepsy are at special risk for two life-threatening conditions: status epilepticus and sudden unexplained death. For about 80 percent of those diagnosed with epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with modern medicines and surgical techniques. Epilepsy is usually treated with antiepileptic drugs to control the seizures. (Note: Some antiepiletic drugs can interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.) In 1997, the FDA approved the vagus nerve stimulator for use in people with seizures that are not adequately controlled by medication. How Social Security Views This Condition The Social Security Administration's disability program handles seizure disorder, or epilepsy, in a way very similar to how it evaluates the respiratory impairment, asthma. To be approved for benefits based on this neurological condition, the following two requirements must be met: 1. a claimant must have a specified number of attacks, or episodes, occurring within a specified period of time. AND 2. the episodes must occur even with---or, rather, despite---a claimant's full compliance with prescribed medications. In other words, it is not enough that a disability claimant can demonstrate proof of a seizure disorder, or epilepsy, diagnosis. A claimant's records must also indicate that anti-seizure medication has been prescribed, is being taken as directed, and that attacks continue to occur nonetheless. How frequent must these attacks be, according to social security regulations? It depends on the type of epilepsy, or seizure disorder, that a disability claimant has. If a claimant's particular form of seizure disorder is classified as convulsive epilepsy (grand mal seizures), such seizures must occur more frequently than once per month, in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. Convulsive seizures, if they occur during the day, must also involve loss of consciousness (and, of course, convulsions). If they occur at night, they must have the effect of interfering with the individual's activities on the following day. If a claimant's seizure disorder is classified as nonconvulsive epilepsy (petit mal seizures, or focal seizures), such seizures must occur more frequently than once per week, in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. Additionally, nonconvulsive seizures must involve either loss of consciousness, alteration of awareness (i.e., confusion or disorientation), or have the effect of interfering with the individual's activities during the day. APPLYING FOR DISABILITY WITH SEIZURE DISORDER Home The Truth Claim Process About Us FAQ Contact Us Privacy Policy |