Adolescents' Perceptions of Functional Seizure Self-Management Strategies, Facilitators, and Barriers in the School Environment.
Andrea L Tanner, Jane R von Gaudecker, Janice M Buelow and 2 others
PMID 37134281WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescents with functional seizures prioritized physical safety and privacy over mental health coping.
They used apps, service animals, and peer networks to manage school life. However, school nurses and teachers often acted as barriers through stigma or lack of training, undermining self-management efforts.
Key findings
01Participants focused on protecting their heads and bodies during seizures, using strategies like carrying pillows, wearing hoods, or seeking secluded spaces, rather than solely addressing mental health triggers.
02School nurses and other personnel were identified as both key facilitators (through training and safety planning) and significant barriers (through stigma, non-intervention, or inappropriate emergency responses).
03Adolescents relied on technology and social networks for self-management, including smartphone apps for tracking and coping, and teaching friends how to respond to seizures to maintain school attendance.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only female participants, limiting generalizability to male adolescents. Participants were predominantly white (80%) and recruited largely through social media support groups, which may bias findings toward families already engaged with the condition. The sample size was small (n=10), and one interview was terminated early due to participant distress. Findings are specific to the school environment and may not reflect self-management in other contexts.
Declared interests
The authors disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these self-management strategies as evidence of efficacy. The study reports perceptions and experiences, not clinical outcomes. Four adolescents reported success in stopping seizures with aura strategies, but the authors note that some strategies, such as hiding in locked restrooms, may pose safety risks.