For most people with epilepsy, their seizures can happen at any time, with no obvious pattern or trigger. However, if you have epilepsy you are more likely to have seizures if you are sleep-deprived (overtired), stressed, bored, or unwell with an infection. For some people seizures may be triggered by something more specific such as flashing lights or specific noises or sensations. Not all people with epilepsy have triggers for their seizures and triggers can be very different for different people. You can read more about triggers here.

Photosensitive Epilepsy

Less than five per cent (five out of every 100) of people with epilepsy will have their seizures triggered by flashing lights or light flashing between trees or railings when driving on a sunny day. This is known as photosensitive epilepsy. If you know that flashing lights trigger your seizures you should take steps to avoid these where possible. However, if you are exposed to a flashing light that you think may trigger a seizure, then you should close one eye and cover it with the palm of your hand and turn away.

People with epilepsy can watch television, as long as they do not sit too close, and use a computer, although some computer games with flashing images may trigger a seizure in some people. Faulty fluorescent strip lights, strong contrasting patterns, or driving past trees with sunlight shining through them may also be seizure triggers for someone with photosensitive epilepsy.

If you would like more information about photosensitive epilepsy, please look at the Epilepsy Action website