For anyone living with epilepsy, the decision to disclose it to an employer can feel like a difficult one. On one hand, workplaces today are more inclusive, and discrimination is legally prohibited. On the other, there’s always that lingering worry—will they see me for my skills and experience, or will they focus only on my condition?

Personally, I don’t tell an employer straight away. I want them to judge me based on my experience, not my epilepsy. It’s not that I’m ashamed of it—I just don’t see it as a defining factor in my ability to do my job. However, I recently had to fill out a form that asked about health conditions, and I decided to be honest. Now, I can’t help but worry. What if they see it as a problem? What if they decide to let me go? I know I overthink things, and my husband reassures me that I’m worrying too much. But as someone who is naturally private and takes time to trust, these thoughts aren’t easy to shake.

The truth is, epilepsy doesn’t change who I am. It’s a part of me, but it doesn’t define me. I want people to see me—my work ethic, my personality, my skills—not just my diagnosis. It’s a constant internal debate: should I disclose it and risk unnecessary concern, or should I keep it to myself and avoid the possibility of being treated differently?

For anyone else in the same situation, how do you handle it? Do you tell your employer straight away, or do you wait until you feel comfortable? I’d love to hear your thoughts.