Being a teen is…complicated. There are a lot of emotions at play, and they may want to rebel to gain independence. Being independent is an important part of growing up, and it is even more important to support teens with epilepsy in learning how to live an independent life. Make sure your teen knows their routine and how to manage their epilepsy on their own.
You can support your teen's move into adult care by helping them with a few things.
Having an open talk with your teen about the risks of excessive alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, and stress mixed with their epilepsy is important.
Taking over the responsibility of epilepsy care can be scary for teens. This is why the move from pediatric care to adult care is so important.
It can also be really helpful for teens to update their Seizure Action Plan and know who to call if seizures get worse.
Teens legally become adults when they turn 18. They now will have to give permission for their doctor to be able to speak to their parents about their medical history. If a teen is getting a new doctor, it’s a good idea to move medical information over to their new care team as early as possible. They may even be moving to college, and could be a long way from home, which means they may need to build a local care team.
The transition is always a little hard. Having your teen be as prepared as possible to manage their own care is key to getting through this challenging time.
