IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON EMPLOYMENT STATUS - FINDINGS FROM A UK STUDY OF PEOPLE WITH WELL-CONTROLLED EPILEPSY

This paper examines the current employment status and recent employment history of 494 individuals with epilepsy whose seizures were well-controlled or in remission. Information about employment status and history was obtained by means of self-completion questionnaires, sent to eligible subjects by post. The sampling frame from which subjects were recruited were neurology out-patient departments across the UK. The majority of subjects had epilepsy in remission: only 15% had had a seizure in the last year and only 25% reported one in the last two years. A high proportion of respondents were currently in employment. Of those who were not, few attributed this to their epilepsy; nor did epilepsy seem to have a significant impact on recent employment history. In spite of the lack of evidence of any actual discrimination, a third of respondents nevertheless felt their condition affected their ability to obtain employment, The findings from earlier studies of high unemployment rates partly reflect bias in the samples studied. Our data provide evidence that where seizures are well-controlled and uncomplicated by other handicap, people with epilepsy do not generally experience problems with employment.