Randy's explanation is pretty good except for one thing, it's not always due to brain damage. Indeed in some cases seizures are due some form of brain damage but if your MRI is normal then it's just a genetical issue due to your neurons going into synchronous discharges by some weird circumstances that science cannot explain.

So if I were you I'd try to explain it like this... "A lot of people have some strange reactions under certain stimuli around them, some get weird tics, some of them start to say strange things, some of them even feel a need to take of their clothes in public. There is all kind of weird behavior in this world. And I got this weird thing where I get spasms and roll on the floor like I was doing a breakdance showoff. But that doesn't define me and with certain preventive measures this hardly ever happens so there is no worry about this, I'd be more worried if I were a cleptomaniac and could do things that could potentially be unlawful without my awareness, but seizures won't hurt anyone else (unless I drive of course). So I'm just an average person with a weird habit that goes beyond my control, but hey... no one is perfect right? "

I know that some would consider this a minimization of the issue because epilepsy is more severe than that but we have to remember that regular people are usually narrow minded and whenever we explain them something we cast the reflection of our own ideas about the matter in their heads. So if you are truly terrified about epilepsy you will describe it in such a manner that will make the other person terrified as well. If you want the other person to respect you but still to understand the severity of your condition you have to be smart about it and to use a strategy that will let you be charismatic but still serious at the same time. It's hard to make regular people understand how you feel, you can call it an art but you got to try and perfect your technique.

I always start out, by saying it’s a seizure disorder.then if they want to go deeper , I’ll continue on with the continuing with the basic info. If they want to keep understanding it ,then I would go into the complex info

I start out with the basics info.
1. It a seizure disorder, caused by a form of brain damage..
2. Explain about the differences between your brain waves compared to his/her and average people without Epilepsy.
3. Talk a little about the medication(s) , maybe show them if possible.
4.. maybe explain how many types of Epilepsy and seizures there are.
After explaining the basics see what direction you go with your co worker. Will they keep asking you bigger questions. Or will your co worker stop at the basic info?

agree 100% with these answers!!

@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member "It's a seizure disorder caused by any one of many different things."

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