National Epilepsy Day 2025: History, Significance, Awareness And Support

Last Updated:November 17, 2025, 07:30 IST

National Epilepsy Day 2025 aims to raise awareness about epilepsy, fight stigma and promote better treatment, understanding and support for patients across India.

National Epilepsy Day is observed every year on November 17 in India. The day is celebrated to raise awareness, fight stigma and improve treatments for epilepsy. On this day, various government and private organisations come together and conduct events to spread awareness on this neurological condition.

In this neurological disorder, electrical activity in the brain becomes abnormal, which causes a person to experience repeated seizures. This condition can occur at any age and may have varied causes, including head injury, infections or genetic effects.

National Epilepsy Day History

National Epilepsy Day was first initiated by the Epilepsy Foundation of India in order to spread awareness and prevent epilepsy conditions in the country. The non-profit charitable organisation was formed by Dr Nirmal Sury in 2009 in Mumbai. The Epilepsy Foundation of India started the day to raise awareness around the disorder and provide education and treatment to the patients as well as protect their rights.

National Epilepsy Day 2025 Significance

National Epilepsy Day is marked with various aims, including:

1. Eliminating superstitions and discrimination related to epilepsy.
2. Educating people that this disease is treatable and patients can live normal lives.
3. Increasing understanding and compassion in society, schools and workplaces.
4. Motivating the government and health institutions so that they provide better treatment and rehabilitation facilities for the patients.
5. Encouraging people to understand the condition and learn how to respond during a seizure.
6. Other initiatives surrounding the day aim to protect the rights of the patients.

Common Signs And Symptoms of Epilepsy

The most common sign of epilepsy is temporary loss of awareness. This means that even in voluntary movements, a person can suffer from a blank state, uncontrollable muscles, confusion, slow thinking, disturbed sensual perceptions and even a stomach upset. The symptoms can also be psychic such as fear, overwhelming experience or hallucination.

Types of Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy has two primary seizure categories like Focal Onset Seizure and Generalised Onset Seizures.

Focal Onset Seizure

This seizure begins in a particular part of a group of cells on any one side of the brain. These can be divided into two categories — focal onset aware seizure and focal onset impaired awareness seizure. The first one is a sudden seizure and happens when the person is awake. The second seizure may result in loss of consciousness.

Generalised Onset Seizure

This kind, which affects widespread cell networks bilaterally, can be categorised into six types — Absence Seizures, Atonic Seizures, Tonic Seizures, Clonic Seizures, Tonic-clonic Seizures and Myoclonic Seizures.

Tips To Prevent Epilepsy

1. Take Medicines On Time: Epilepsy is a serious condition and therefore, medicines should be taken on time. Keep in regular touch with a neurologist to help keep seizures in check.
2. Have Enough Sleep: Lack of sleep can increase the chance of seizures. It is important to have enough sleep for anyone suffering from epilepsy.
3. Avoid Caffeine: Food containing caffeine can trigger epilepsy seizures. Coffee, energy drinks and soda are some food items that have caffeine content.
4. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Lack of water in the body can cause many complications including the chance of seizures.
5. Avoid Flickering Lights: Flashing lights should be avoided by those having this condition, especially if children. Television displays, computer monitors, mobile screens can trigger seizures.

National Epilepsy Day Awareness and Support

The awareness and support activities on this day include public events and workshops to emphasise that epilepsy is a treatable condition. The workshops educate people that epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, not a social stigma.

Support efforts also focus on ensuring that patients receive proper care. It also creates a more supportive and inclusive environment for people suffering from the disorder. Moreover, awareness campaigns also advocate for policies to improve social welfare for affected people.

While seizures are mostly difficult to prevent, as per PACE Hospitals, the following measures can help to prevent the risk of seizures:

• Taking prescribed medications
• Avoiding alcohol consumption
• Avoiding tobacco consumption
• Practising stress management
• Maintaining a sleep schedule
• Maintaining a consistent meal schedule
• Protecting from head injuries
• Paying attention to fevers.

Nibandh Vinod

Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv…Read More

Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A tech-savv… Read More