Epilepsy and other health conditions

    Fast facts

    1. 1
      Having another health condition alongside epilepsy is common
    2. 2
      Epilepsy is more common in people with a learning disability than in the general population
    3. 3
      Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) happens more frequently in people with epilepsy
    4. 4
      Studies have found that people with epilepsy are more likely to have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than people without epilepsy
    5. 5
      People with epilepsy are more likely to be affected by depression or anxiety
    6. 6
      Help is available, but it might not always be joined up with your epilepsy care

    Some figures

    About 600,000 people in the UK have epilepsy

    There are about 700,000 people in the UK with autism

    Between 20% and 40% of people with autism also have epilepsy

    Around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability

    ADHD affects about 3-5% of children and 2% of adults

    Around 1 in 6 people in the UK will have depression. For people with epilepsy, it’s around 1 in 3 people

    Group of friends at the park

    "Other health conditions are often under-recognised and under-treated in people with epilepsy."

    Top tips

    Teenage girls, one in a wheelchair, looking at each others phones

    Stories by you

    Do you have epilepsy and another health condition? To share your experience why not get in touch?

    Watch

    • What is autism?

    • What is a learning disability?

      Mencap Young ambassadors

    • What's it like to have ADHD?

    Do something

    If you have other conditions alongside epilepsy, what support do you have for them? Can you find anything else to help?

    More info

    There are organisations and support groups that specialise in other conditions.

    We have mentioned conditions commonly linked with epilepsy but there are many more health conditions that can affect people. If you have a health condition we’ve not mentioned on this page, you may be able to find it on the NHS website

    NHS website

    Autism

    The NHS website has information about the signs of autism

    About autism

    There are lots of suggestions for where to get support with autism on the NHS website

    Autism support

    Learning disability

    There is more on the Epilepsy Action website about living with epilepsy and a learning disability

    Epilepsy and learning disability

    Mencap is a national UK charity for people with a learning disability. There are over 300 local groups linked to Mencap

    Mencap

    ADHD

    The NHS website has information about the symptoms of ADHD

    ADHD symptoms

    The ADHD foundation has information and resources aimed at young people

    ADHD Foundation

    Mental health

    There are pages on The Epilepsy Space about emotions and wellbeing

    Emotions and wellbeing

    Young Minds is a UK charity providing support for young people’s mental health

    Young Minds

    Mind is a UK charity providing mental health support for all

    Mind
    Updated 12 May 2020
    Review 12 May 2023
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