The Daily Aus What epilepsy actually looks like
Mar 14, 2026
Carol Ireland, CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia and advocate, offers clear, compassionate perspective. She explains what epilepsy and different seizure types actually look like. She addresses common myths, everyday impacts on independence and mental health, and practical seizure first aid and supports. The conversation highlights stigma, prevalence in Australia, and where to find help.
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Epilepsy Is A Brain Condition Defined By Seizures
- Epilepsy is a brain condition defined by a tendency to have unprovoked, recurrent seizures.
- A seizure is a temporary disruption of brain electrical activity causing changes in awareness, movement or behaviour, and epilepsy is usually diagnosed after two unprovoked seizures 24 hours apart.
One In Three Australians May Have Drug Resistant Epilepsy
- About two thirds of people with epilepsy can control seizures with medication, but roughly one in three have drug-resistant epilepsy.
- Drug-resistant epilepsy is when seizures are not controlled after two appropriately chosen anti-seizure medications, affecting around 86,000 Australians.
Epilepsy Is More Common Than People Realise
- Epilepsy affects about 1% of Australians, roughly 266,000 people, and about 1 in 25 Australians will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
- Carol Ireland emphasises epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in Australia and more prevalent than many expect.