Why is there a stigma around epilepsy?

The stigma of epilepsy can be linked to a number of factors, including underresourced medical services, poor seizure control, and inadequate knowledge of epilepsy.

Why is epilepsy misdiagnosed?

The main reasons why misdiagnosis of epilepsy is common are: There is a false tendency to think of epilepsy as a single disorder. The diagnosis is mainly based on the history and there is usually no confirmatory test. The EEG is abused.

Are epileptics more intelligent?

Myth 3: People with epilepsy aren’t as smart as other people. Fact: Epilepsy has little to no effect on a person’s ability to think, except during some seizures, during a short period following some seizures and sometimes as a side effect of certain anti-epileptic medications.

Is epilepsy ever misdiagnosed?

Misdiagnosis of epilepsy remains common and the consequences for the individual significant. Poor history taking and overreliance on laboratory test are the main causes of misdiagnosis. Risks of a false positive diagnosis must be appraised against risks of a false positive diagnosis.

Is epilepsy a stigma?

The stigmatizing nature of epilepsy and its associated psychological distress have been reported to have a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy; however, the degree of the felt stigma and its consequences are not equal in every individual with epilepsy.

What is the social stigma of epilepsy?

Living with Epilepsy Stigma can cause great unhappiness, when children are left out of parties and other social events because their friends’ parents are afraid of having to handle a seizure. Even worse, it can get in the way of a child having friends or lead to bullying or teasing.

How do you prove you have epilepsy?

Electroencephalogram (EEG). This is the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy. In this test, electrodes are attached to your scalp with a paste-like substance or cap.

What could be mistaken for a seizure?

Many conditions have symptoms similar to epilepsy, including first seizures, febrile seizures, nonepileptic events, eclampsia, meningitis, encephalitis, and migraine headaches.

Are seizures fake?

Nonepileptic seizures are also commonly referred to as pseudoseizures. “Pseudo” is a Latin word meaning false, however, pseudoseizures are as real as epileptic seizures. They’re also sometimes called psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). Pseudoseizures are fairly common.

Can someone have epilepsy and not know it?

Most seizures happen suddenly without warning, last a short time (a few seconds or minutes) and stop by themselves. Seizures can be different for each person. Just knowing that someone has epilepsy does not tell you what their epilepsy is like, or what seizures they have.

How is epilepsy perceived?

The most frequently mentioned perceived causes for epilepsy were stress (91\%), substance use (61.8\%), and bad spirit (49.8\%) while loss of consciousness and falling (80.7\%) and sleep problems (78\%) were considered symptoms of epilepsy. Only 13.1\% of the participants think that they may be susceptible for epilepsy.

What are facts about epilepsy?

Epilepsy Fast Facts. The way a seizure looks depends on the type of seizure a person is experiencing. Some seizures can look like staring spells. Other seizures can cause a person to collapse, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them. Epilepsy can be caused by different conditions that affect a person’s brain.

What is the cure for epilepsy?

Epilepsy is usually treated with medicines which try to stop the seizures from happening. Information about epilepsy surgery for adults and children. VNS therapy involves a small electrical device which is implanted under the skin to reduce the number of seizures and make them less severe.

Is a person born with epilepsy?

The truth: Anyone can develop epilepsy at any time. Some people are born with it, whereas others have their very first seizure in middle age. While genetics can play a factor, there are other more common causes of epilepsy, such as head trauma, brain tumour or lesion and stroke.

How does someone get epilepsy?

When identifiable, the causes of epilepsy usually involve some form of injury to the brain. For most people, though, epilepsy’s causes aren’t known. A seizure occurs when a burst of electrical impulses in the brain escape their normal limits. They spread to neighboring areas and create an uncontrolled storm of electrical activity.