Rachel E. Stirling is a neurologist who works at St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne in Melbourne, VIC. Her day-to-day work centres on brain and nerve conditions, especially when they show up as seizures.
Seizures can look different from person to person. Some people have brief “blank” moments, while others may have shaking during a generalised tonic-clonic seizure. Rachel also looks after people with epilepsy, and works with those who are dealing with absence seizures and other seizure types.
In many cases, the hardest part is not only the episodes themselves, but the worry around them. Patients often want clear answers about what is happening, how to reduce the risk of seizures, and what to do if another event occurs. Rachel focuses on listening, taking concerns seriously, and helping people make sense of next steps.
Neurology can be complex, but Rachel keeps it plain and practical. She understands that life keeps going while you’re managing a condition. That means planning around work, school, driving rules, and day-to-day routines as much as possible. She also pays attention to how medicines are going, including side effects and whether changes are needed.
Over time, seizure care can involve follow-up, adjusting treatment, and reviewing symptoms as they change. At times, people also need help getting organised around triggers, sleep, and overall health habits that may play a role in seizure control.
Rachel’s training is in medicine, followed by specialist neurology training. This background supports her work in treating seizure disorders and helping patients and families navigate ongoing care.
While many people improve with the right plan, epilepsy and seizure conditions don’t always settle quickly. Rachel’s approach stays steady and supportive, with a focus on getting the best possible control and keeping people informed along the way.
