Increase your safety
If someone is aware you could potentially have a seizure and they know what to do, it will help ensure your safety.
It was more for my safety and the safety of the others around, in case I had a seizure and they knew what to do. So I'd show them how to administer the [rescue medication].
Strengthen relationships
Telling people who are important to you in your personal life or who you spend a lot of time with is helpful. It could deepen the bonds between you. Equally, telling the appropriate people in work or school/college helps develop a relationship of trust.
I just told her the truth I have epilepsy, I'm normal day by day. I just felt she was just so good to me and I bonded with her from day one, when I moved into my apartment.
I was going to be employed there, so I'm not going to start off by telling them lies, I'm being honest.
Develop a personal support network
The more people you tell in various environments the bigger your personal support network. This network ensures there is at least one person in your various social and work situations who can provide the support you need. For example, someone who knows what to do in the event of you having a seizure, someone to vent your frustrations with or someone at work who can manage any work/study problems.
If you're going to be visiting somewhere regularly, try and find one person to let them know.
If it's a situation, like a few girls, when I had to go away with them if they didn't know I would always tell people. If I'm going away with them, if I'm spending a lot of time with them, just obviously in case something happens, but also if they find a medication or something, it's so they don't find something and feel they can't ask.
I have certain friends who I would be more honest with. I could turn around to them and say, I'm having a really lousy day, I've had three or four seizures, not feeling the best. And then I'll be able to talk about it more openly with them.
Reduce any alarm
If someone witnesses a seizure and is unaware of what is going on, it can alarm them. They might also panic as they don't know what to do to help. However, if you inform them of what to expect to see during your seizure and guide them on how to help, they will be much more assured.
I give them a little bit of what could happen, and then they maybe can adjust to it mentally before, or if it happens, rather than have them panicking and not know how to help me best if the worst came to the worst.