Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Blog #115: Attitudes Toward Epilepsy


What does the public understand about epilepsy and what do they think about those people afflicted with epilepsy? A recent study in the United Kingdom (UK) explored these questions. The population studied was in the UK but my assumption is the American public would hold similar opinions. Researchers at the University of Bangor in Wales explored these attitudes.1   Four thousand people in the UK were asked to share their views and knowledge about epilepsy, driving with epilepsy, work, family life and relationships.  


People with epilepsy report experiencing stigma, prejudice and discrimination. They often feel they are treated unfairly.  They inhibit themselves from discussing their condition and from seeking help. This can lead to withdrawing from social contacts and feeling shame or depression.


Below are the findings in this study:  

 

RISKS AND SAFETY CONCERNS


Attitudes towards driving and looking after children were explored. Half of the people would not let their child ride in a car with a driver who had epilepsy. Almost half said they would feel uncomfortable if their child rode in a car with a driver with epilepsy. Over a third said they would not employ someone with epilepsy to babysit their child.

 


PERSONAL FEAR AND SOCIAL AVOIDANCE


Stigma was low in this category. People said they would not be embarrassed if someone in their family had epilepsy. Most said they would be happy to work with or date someone with epilepsy. However, 25% of responders said they would be afraid to be alone with someone with epilepsy; just under a quarter would be nervous to be around a person with epilepsy fearful of them having a seizure.


 

WORK AND ROLE EXPECTATIONS


Most people said they believed people with epilepsy can be as successful as others at work and can lead ‘normal’ lives. Approximately 25% of responders believed people with epilepsy cannot do many work activities safely that others can.


            

NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES


People were asked if they thought people with epilepsy were less smart than others, or whether they shouldn’t marry or have children. Most responders disagreed with these statements.


 


CONCLUSIONS


This British research found the average person in the UK has a largely positive attitude towards people with epilepsy. But 10% of the four thousand persons in the study queried had a negative attitude and one percent had a very negative attitude toward people with epilepsy. These responses suggest that work needs to be done to increase tolerance toward people with disabilities and to ensure that people with epilepsy are no longer treated unfairly because of their epilepsy.


It’s understandable that driving has more negative attitudes but it highlights that more education is needed to show there are many ways to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy. Fear and misunderstanding are forces behind discrimination and stigmatizing attitudes. This information of what the population knows and believes about epilepsy is important to inform people with epilepsy and their loved ones.


The study highlights that myths about epilepsy need to be challenged, knowledge about this condition needs to improve and that fear and prejudices need to be addressed. Training in schools and work places and first aid advice will give the general population confidence in helping people with epilepsy.


Read the full study here:  https://www.seizure-journal.com/article/s1059-1311(18)30684-8/fulltext


 

1. Holmes E., Bourke S.,Plumpton C. Attitudes towards epilepsy in the UK population: Results from a 2018 national survey.European J. of Epilepsy. February 2019 Volume 65, Pages 12–19.

 


Lance Fogan, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “DINGS” is his first novel. It is a mother’s dramatic story that teaches epilepsy, now available in eBook, audiobook and soft cover editions.