Management of the social consequences of seizures.

People with seizures experience restrictions in many areas of life, including participation in recreational activities, social situations, employment, and driving. Health care providers and patients should be informed of the potential hazards faced by people with seizures. The patient and practitioner who know the potential risks can make rational decisions about participation in these activities. Risk assessment and participation should be individualized according to the patient's unique situation. Understanding the inherent risk of a particular activity, risk of recurrence of seizures, legal restrictions (some activities may be governed by law or specific code), seizure type, and adverse effects of medication may be useful in making decisions concerning participation in a wide variety of activities. The information in this article should be used to maximize the patient's quality of life.