ESA for Epilepsy: Consciousness Activity and Beyond

Epilepsy has a dedicated WCA activity - Activity 10: Consciousness during waking moments. But epilepsy can also score on several other activities, particularly if seizures are frequent or if medication causes significant side effects.

Activity 10: Consciousness (up to 15 points)

This is the primary activity for epilepsy:

• Weekly episodes: 15 points - also qualifies for Support Group/LCWRA
• Monthly episodes: 6 points

"Episodes of lost or altered consciousness" includes tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures, complex partial seizures, and any episode that significantly disrupts awareness or concentration. Even if you do not fully lose consciousness, if your awareness is "significantly disrupted," this counts.

Beyond consciousness: other activities

• Mobilising (6-15 pts): If seizures can happen when walking, mobility is limited by risk.
• Hazard awareness (6-15 pts): If seizures happen without warning, you need supervision to stay safe.
• Standing and sitting (6-9 pts): Post-ictal (after-seizure) fatigue and medication drowsiness limit sustained positioning.
• Learning tasks (6-9 pts): Anti-epileptic medications commonly cause cognitive impairment.
• Personal action (6-9 pts): Memory problems and cognitive side effects from medication.

Medication side effects

Anti-epileptic drugs (sodium valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate) commonly cause drowsiness, memory problems, concentration difficulties, mood changes, dizziness, and tremor. These side effects significantly impact work capability and must be described.

The "no warning" argument

If your seizures happen without warning (no aura), this is a critical safety point. In any workplace, an unpredictable seizure poses a risk to you and potentially to others. This supports substantial risk arguments as well as higher descriptors on several activities.