7 Common Seizure Triggers: Patterns From People Living With Epilepsy

Written by Ted Samson

Posted on May 20, 2026

Feel better informed on epilepsy and get real support from your community.

Key Takeaways

For many people living with epilepsy, certain situations like stress, missed sleep, illness, or skipped medication doses can make seizures more likely, and these are known as seizure triggers.

For many people living with epilepsy, seizures don’t happen completely at random. Certain situations, like stress, missed sleep, illness, or skipped medication doses, can make seizures more likely. These are known as seizure triggers.

Triggers vary from person to person. Some people can point to one clear cause. Others notice that seizures happen when several factors build up at once, such as stress during a week of poor sleep. By paying attention to patterns, many people find ways to reduce their risk.

In a long-standing Q&A conversation on MyEpilepsyTeam, hundreds of members have shared more than 1,200 comments on what triggers their seizures or causes them to get worse.

Following are seven of the most commonly reported triggers, along with how MyEpilepsyTeam members describe them in real life.

🗳️ What have you found to be your biggest seizure trigger?

Stress

Not enough sleep

Missed medication

Something else/not sure

Stress That Builds and Lingers

Stress is one of the most widely reported seizure triggers. It can affect the brain’s electrical activity and often overlaps with other triggers, like sleep problems or missed routines.

“Mine are triggered by stress, tiredness, and — although it never used to be a trigger, as I never drank much — alcohol.”

— A MyEpilepsyTeam member

Many MyEpilepsyTeam members say stress doesn’t always come from big events — it can build slowly from everyday frustrations. “I can definitely say stress does. I was stuck on the phone for seven hours today trying to fix something with my internet protection plan,” one member reported. “This won’t be fun.”

These experiences highlight how complex stress can be. Even when you try to manage it, it may still play a role.

Not Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep and brain activity are closely connected. When sleep is disrupted or cut short, the brain may be more prone to seizures.

“Three things: lack of sleep, stress, and your brain racing constantly two or three nights in a row.”

— A MyEpilepsyTeam member

Several MyEpilepsyTeam members say it’s not just one bad night. It’s a pattern. As one member put it, “Three things: lack of sleep, stress, and your brain racing constantly two or three nights in a row.”

Quality matters as much as quantity. Interrupted or restless sleep can have similar effects. If you often wake up tired or have seizures at night, this may be worth discussing with your doctor.

Missed or Late Medications

Missing a dose of anti-seizure medication is one of the most common reasons for breakthrough seizures. Even people who rarely miss doses say timing matters.

“What triggers my seizures sometimes is stress, anger, and fatigue — plus, if I forget to take my meds."

— A MyEpilepsyTeam member

Staying on schedule can be challenging, especially during busy or stressful times. Tools like reminders or pill organizers may help support consistency.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal shifts can affect seizure patterns, especially during the menstrual cycle. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels may raise seizure risk at certain times.

Some MyEpilepsyTeam members track this alongside other triggers. One member said, “Stress, lack of sleep, my cycle.”

Another shared a broader mix of influences: “Stress, hormones, and alcohol.”

Tracking both seizures and hormonal cycles may help reveal patterns. If you notice a connection, your care team may be able to adjust your management plan.

Alcohol Use

Alcohol affects the brain in ways that can increase seizure risk, especially with heavy use or withdrawal.

Members often describe alcohol as one piece of a larger puzzle. One MyEpilepsyTeam member reflected, “Mine are triggered by stress, tiredness, and — although it never used to be a trigger, as I never drank much — alcohol.”

Alcohol can also interact with medications, sometimes making its effects stronger. If you drink, it’s important to talk with your doctor about what’s safe for you.

Flashing Lights and Visual Stimuli

Some people have seizures triggered by visual patterns, such as flashing lights or flickering screens. This is known as photosensitive epilepsy.

Although not everyone with epilepsy experiences this effect, some MyEpilepsyTeam members include visual patterns among multiple triggers. One member’s list included “flashing lights [and] going in and out of heat or cold.”

Triggers in this category include strobe lights, video games, and even sunlight flickering through trees. If visual patterns affect you, testing and guidance from a specialist may help.

Illness and Physical Stress

Being sick — even with a minor illness — can increase seizure risk. Fever, inflammation, and disrupted routines can all play a role.

Some MyEpilepsyTeam members notice a strong connection between illness and seizures.

“Low immunoglobulins and getting sick are usually the reasons I get seizures.”

— A MyEpilepsyTeam member

When you’re sick, it may help to prioritize rest, hydration, and staying on your medication schedule. If seizures increase, contact your care team.

Understanding Your Personal Triggers

Triggers rarely act alone. Many people with epilepsy find that seizures happen when several factors overlap, like during a period of stress, poor sleep, and physical exhaustion.

Learning your triggers won’t prevent every seizure, but it can give you more insight and help guide conversations with your doctor about your care plan.