Self-Management Tools and Apps
Seizure Timers and Trackers
Tracking seizures is a crucial part of seizure management. Everyone with epilepsy should find a seizure tracking method that works for them, from using an app to tracking in a paper diary. This information is useful when talking with your doctor and measuring progress over time. Options include but are not limited to:
My Seizure Diary
My Seizure Diary:
https://www.epilepsy.com/tools-resources/seizure-diary-app
- Online seizure diary with a companion smartphone app.
- Manage medications, track side effects, and use of rescue therapies.
- Easy-to-use reminders to prevent missed medications or appointments.
- Share your seizure with a family member, caregiver, or clinician.
- Track triggers and lifestyle to lessen risk of breakthrough seizures.
- Communicate more easily with your healthcare team.
- FREE.
Seizure Tracker
Seizure Tracker:
- Track seizures, appointments and medication schedules.
- Downloadable seizure logs.
- Graphs comparing seizure activity and medication dosages.
- FREE.
Epsy
Epsy:
- Track seizures, side effects, auras, medication dosages, moods, and more.
- Follow medications and get reminders.
- Statistics and charts showing trends in medication compliance, seizures, and side effects progress.
- Personalized reports for your doctors.
- FREE.
Medication Reminders
Successful self-management of epilepsy requires taking medication as prescribed. It’s not always easy, especially when seizures or medication cause memory problems. Consider using an app like those listed below to help you stay on schedule.
MediSafe App
MediSafe App:
medisafeapp.com
- Provides personalized reminders to take your medications.
- List caregivers or friends as a “Medfriend” to send them a notification if you accidentally miss a dose.
- Manage your family members’ medications from one convenient place with the dependents feature.
- Get an alert for drug interaction warnings.
- Refill reminders when you’re running low on medication.
- Premium app with additional features available for a monthly or annual fee.
- FREE
MyTherapy Medication Reminder App
MyTherapy Medication Reminder App:
- Combines a pill tracker, mood tracker, and health journal.
- Receive reminders for all your medications.
- Pill tracker with a logbook for both your skipped and confirmed intakes.
- Refill reminders when you’re running low.
- FREE
Pill Reminder – All in One app
Pill Reminder – All in One app:
binge.co/apps/pill-reminder-all-in-one
- Helpful tool for remembering to take your medications at the right time.
- Create any type of recurring reminders (every X hours, specific times, daily, weekly, etc.)
- Refill reminders when you’re running low.
- Reminders for medical appointments.
- FREE
TabTime Timer Device
TabTime Timer Device — Search on amazon.com
- Not an app, but a physical timer that can be set for up to eight different alarms.
- Good for those without smartphones who need an audible reminder.
- One inch high and just over 3 inches in diameter. Fits easily into a pocket, purse, or backpack.
- Costs between $15 and $25.
Whole Health Supports
Mental Health
Epilepsy is not a mental illness, but it often coexists with psychiatric and other neurological disorders. In fact, 25-50% of individuals with epilepsy will be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. The most common in adults with epilepsy are mood and anxiety disorders, and the most common among children are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression.
Sometimes, a change in anti-seizure medication can alleviate mental health symptoms. For others, the addition of an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication, and/or mental health counseling may be beneficial. Resources include:
- People Incorporated has an epilepsy program that helps individuals receive services to support their independence, including connecting them with mental health professionals. [https://www.peopleincorporated.org/]
- Most comprehensive epilepsy centers have psychologists on staff who work with patients experiencing psychological problems.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI MN), works with individuals with mental illness, their families, professionals, and the community at large by providing education, support, and advocacy. [https://namimn.org/]
Stress Management
Even if you don’t have a diagnosed mental health disorder, epilepsy can still negatively impact emotional health. While stress can be a trigger for seizures, living with epilepsy and the unpredictability of seizures can also cause stress, resulting in a continuous cycle that’s hard to break.
Strategies like meditation, deep breathing, adequate sleep, exercise, and good nutrition can all help in reducing stress. If you need guidance in de-stressing, apps like Calm and Headspace can help. Both are paid services but offer free trial downloads. You can also find free options on YouTube by searching “free guided meditation.”
Social Connection
Living with epilepsy can feel lonely and isolating. Seeking out support and connection from others on their own epilepsy journey can help reduce these feelings and enhance wellbeing.
- EFMN Connect Groups – Connect Groups help you meet others on a similar journey and share experiences in a safe and supportive environment. [https://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/connect-with-others/connect-groups/]
- My Epilepsy Team — An online social network where you build a support team based on the criteria you choose. That could mean people living near you, those who share similar symptoms or treatments, people with shared interests and hobbies, or anyone you feel a connection to. [https://www.myepilepsyteam.com/]