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.
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.
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