Maximizing quality of life in people living with epilepsy.

Improving quality of life is now seen as a major challenge facing people with epilepsy. Can research on human happiness shed light on why it is that the wellbeing and quality of life of people with epilepsy is worse than the condition's clinical and medical prognosis would predict? Empirical research on subjective wellbeing and happiness in healthy people indicates that there are a small number of key factors that are related to wellbeing, including employment, social interactions, family relationships, and experiential activities. This paper reviews these crucial components of wellbeing, discusses how each factor applies to people living with epilepsy, and identifies epilepsy-specific factors such as stigma and comorbidity that contribute to low quality of life. Lastly, this review provides a list of program-based approaches to improving quality of life, as well as practical recommendations for use by practitioners and people living with epilepsy.