Epilepsy myths and truths

Epilepsy: common but misunderstood

Epilepsy is an ancient condition that has been and still is grossly misunderstood. Unfortunately, many of these myths (untruths) and misconceptions have been handed down from generation to generation in certain cultures and communities.

One of the most damaging perceptions about epilepsy is that it is a shameful condition that you should hide from others and never discuss openly.

Fortunately, many celebrities with epilepsy, such as actors Danny Glover of Lethal Weapon fame and Hugo Weaving best known for his roles in The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, did the opposite. Singer-songwriter Neil Young and Susan Boyle the UK lady with the golden voice as well as our very own Jonty Rhodes, renowned as one of the best fielders in cricketing history, joined them. Together they and many others, by speaking openly about their condition, did much to break down false beliefs and to encourage those living with this condition to lift their heads and live full, happy and productive lives.

Epilepsy myths

Here are some examples of these very wrong and false ideas (myths) about epilepsy that are still doing the rounds:

• • Having a seizure (convulsion) means you have epilepsy

• • During a seizure a person falls, shakes and loses consciousness

• • It’s easy to tell when a seizure is about to happen

• • A person could swallow or choke on his or her tongue during a seizure and you should therefore force something between their teeth

• • Seizures don’t hurt

• • Epilepsy is most common in children

• • Having epilepsy means you are a less worthy partner in a future marriage

• • Females with epilepsy should not become pregnant and will not be able to deliver a healthy baby

• • Epilepsy is contagious

• • Having epilepsy means you are mentally ill and emotionally unstable

• • Having epilepsy means you can’t hold down a job, especially a high-pressure, demanding job

• • Having epilepsy means you are not as smart as other people

• • Epilepsy is caused by lack of religious faith

• • Epilepsy can’t be controlled effectively

• • You can’t live a full, normal life with epilepsy.

Myths debunked

The truth is:

• • Having a seizure does not necessarily mean a person has epilepsy. A seizure can be provoked by many other conditions such as binge drinking, a very high fever, sleep deprivation, as a reaction to new medicines or injuries to the head… Having two or more unexpected and unprovoked seizures that occur more than 24 hours apart may indicate epilepsy but can only be confirmed after a thorough medical evaluation by a qualified doctor.

• • Seizures come in many shapes and sizes depending on the person who is having them and the type of epilepsy he or she has. In some, people do fall down, lose consciousness and shake while others experience symptoms so mild that they may not even be noticed by bystanders. Some people remain conscious or semi-conscious while others lose total consciousness.

• • It is not easy to tell when a seizure will occur but some people do experience a brief sensation called an “aura” seconds before the seizure starts

• • It’s nearly impossible to swallow one’s tongue during a seizure and forcing something between a person’s teeth will only do more harm. Do not try to restrain the person but rather turn them onto their side and remove any furniture or objects close to them that may injure them.

• • Most seizures don’t hurt but the person may be injured and hurt when falling down.

• • Many people develop the disorder in childhood but later outgrow it, while others develop it later in life.

• • Epilepsy does not make you a less worthy partner in a future marriage despite what people believe.

• • Women with epilepsy can safely become pregnant and are able to deliver healthy babies. However, anti-epileptic drugs do carry a 2 to 10% risk of possible birth defects. The risk can be minimised by working closely with a neurologist and obstetrician.

• • Epilepsy is not contagious and can’t be passed on to children. However, some family members may develop the same condition.

• • Epilepsy has got nothing to do with mental or psychiatric disorders. It is a functional, physical, bioelectrical (nerve cells sending off excessive electrical signals) problem, not a mental one.

• • Having epilepsy, like many other disabilities and disorders, may make it a little bit more difficult to hold down a job, especially a high-pressure, demanding job but it is far from impossible, and many epileptics are doing so.

• • Although a person’s concentration and alertness may be slightly affected during and after a seizure, it is a passing effect. Epilepsy can’t make you less smart or intelligent and has little to no effect on a person’s ability to think.

• • Epilepsy has nothing to do with negative spirits or religious effects. It has a perfectly rational physical explanation although the cause is still unknown.

• • Epilepsy can be controlled effectively with medication and sometimes surgery.

• • You can live a full, normal, mostly seizure-free life − despite epilepsy!

 

Sources
Achievers with epilepsy. Retrieved from: http://www.epilepsy.org.za/epsa/achievers.php
Swallowing your tongue and other epilepsy myths. 2014. Retrieved from: http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/06/swallowing-your-tongue-and-other-epilepsy-myths/
Ten cultural myths about epilepsy. Retrieved from: http://seizureli.com/pdf/EpilepsyBrochure.pdf