This review covers the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of epilepsies as well as their social consequences and aspects of rehabilitation. It aims to provide information for physicians dealing with occupational health services and vocational rehabilitation and so focuses on seizure severity, vocational consequences, and job suitability of persons with different kinds of epileptic seizures. The German state accident insurance published valuable guidelines for assessment of job suitability of persons with epilepsy (BGI 585). On the basis of the “International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health” (ICF), impairment of body functions and structure as well as limitation of activities and participation directly related to seizures and those present independently of seizures are described. Driving regulations try to balance mobility needs of individuals with epilepsy against the safety concerns of society. With respect to employment, vocational training and early disability, epilepsy-associated psychiatric co-morbidity and cognitive impairments are usually more important than the epilepsy itself. Finally, structures of health networks for persons with epilepsy are described.
