Can You Do an Escape Room with Epilepsy or Seizure Disorders?
This is a question we take seriously at Incognito Escape Room in Dublin, and one that deserves a clear, honest answer rather than generic reassurance. Here's what you need to know.
The Short Answer
Many people with epilepsy or seizure disorders do escape rooms without any issues. Whether it's suitable for you specifically depends on the type of triggers you're sensitive to and the specific room you're booking. Some rooms are more suitable than others, and a quick conversation with the venue before booking will help you make the right call.
What to Watch Out For in Escape Rooms
Strobe lights and flashing effects. Some escape rooms use strobe lighting for atmosphere. This is the most significant potential trigger for people with photosensitive epilepsy. It varies significantly by room and venue — not all escape rooms use strobes, and many offer rooms without any.
Rapidly changing or flickering lighting. Even non-strobe lighting effects (rapid dimming, colour shifts) can be an issue for some people. Again, this is room-specific.
Low lighting environments. Dim lighting itself isn't a medical concern for epilepsy, but it can increase disorientation. For people who need to monitor their own symptoms, low lighting can make that harder.
Sound intensity. Sudden loud sounds or sustained high-intensity audio is not typically an epilepsy trigger, but it's worth flagging if you have concerns.
What to Do Before You Book
Call or message the venue directly. Don't assume the website has all the information you need. Ask specifically:
- Does this room use strobe lighting or flashing effects?
- Are there any rapidly changing lighting sequences?
- Can the lighting effects be modified or disabled for our group?
At Incognito, we're happy to discuss specific rooms and their lighting setups before you book. Contact us here and we'll give you a straight answer.
Which of Our Rooms Are More Suitable
At Incognito, our rooms vary in atmosphere. The horror-adjacent rooms — Orphanage and Cabin in the Woods — use atmospheric lighting effects and may be less suitable depending on your specific sensitivities.
Adventure-themed rooms like King's Quest, Baker Street Mystery, and Prohibition have more consistent lighting and are generally a better starting point for anyone with concerns about lighting triggers.
We'd always recommend asking us directly before booking so we can confirm what's in the current version of the room you're considering.
Inform Your Game Master
Before your session starts, let your Game Master know about your condition. This isn't about getting special treatment — it's about making sure the person who's monitoring your session knows to watch for anything unusual and knows what to do if you need to exit quickly.
Remember: you are never physically locked in an escape room. The door is always openable. If you need to leave the room at any point for any reason, you can.
Bring Someone Who Knows Your Situation
If you're doing an escape room with a condition that occasionally requires someone to assist you, make sure at least one person in your group knows your medical history and what to do if something happens. Inform them of any relevant medication you carry.
General Reassurance
Escape rooms are not high-intensity physical environments. You're indoors, stationary or moving slowly, with consistent access to your Game Master. The activity itself (searching, puzzle-solving, communicating) doesn't place unusual physical demands on participants.
The vast majority of people with epilepsy or photosensitive conditions who've contacted us have done a session without issue — usually by avoiding the more atmospheric rooms and letting us know in advance.
If you're unsure, the safest approach is to contact us before booking, ask about specific rooms, and make a decision with full information rather than general assumptions.
Get in touch here and we'll help you find the right room. We'd rather answer your questions in advance than have you turn up to something that isn't right for you.
