So well put, @louissc ! Fear does serve a purpose — the problem arises when it becomes chronic and paralyzes us.
Last year, during the second semester, my complex partial seizures came back — sometimes once or even twice a week. With them came a familiar fear: what if I had a seizure alone on the street? That fear pushed me to think of ways to feel more secure, without stepping back from my life.
First, whenever I walked to Pilates or Tennis, I'd let my husband know when I left home and send him a quick message once I arrived. I also mentally mapped safe stops along my routes — shops, restaurants, supermarkets — where I could rest, breathe, and show my medical bracelet if needed. Once that strategy proved it worked, my fear eased and I gradually extended it to other activities — meeting friends, going to appointments on my own, and more.
As @marianne72 so aptly put it, 'Life is risky no matter what or where!' Living in a large, bustling city like São Paulo has taught me that managing risk is simply part of daily life — and that the same mindset applies to living well with epilepsy.
Has anyone else in our group faced this kind of fear? What strategies have helped you stay engaged with life rather than withdrawing from it?
Chris