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Myths About Epilepsy
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 02:49Many people have written essays about conventions and beliefs in epilepsy that have been passed through generations to generations. These beliefs mostly include superstition and misconceptions that make epilepsy sound worse than it should be.
Many researchers have contradicted these facts about epilepsy, which discuss the truth behind it. Although these actions could eliminate false notions about epilepsy, many people still cling to the traditional beliefs, which are mostly myths. Here is a list of mths abouty epilepsy that should change the way people perceive about it:
- Epilepsy is a mental disorder. Epilepsy is NOT a mental disorder but a physical disorder. People with epilepsy are not metally incapacitated as believed by many. Epilepsy is a kind of seizure disorder that is not directly related to mental health.
- One should NOT put anything in a person's mouth during seizure. The common impulse for many is to place a spoon inside the mouth to prevent swallowing of the tongue. There is no way one can swallow his tongue. Placing a spoon or any object inside the person's mouth may block his breathing and may worsen the seizure.
- Epilepsy is a product of witchcraft. Epilepsy is NOT a product of witchcraft or any superstitious activity. It is a seizure disorder.
- Epilepsy is contagious. Epilepsy is NOT contagious. It is a seizure disoder that cannot be transmitted to another person by any means.
- People with epilepsy have unusual physical feature. Epilepsy do not cause a person's physical features to look different, unless caused by other disorder or sources. The only time when a person with epilepsy would look different is when he is suffering from seizure.
- Epilepsy is a permanent disorder. Epilepsy is NOT a permanent disorder. Most cases would manifest during childhood but seizures would stop at certain age.
Comments
Re: Myths About Epilepsy
Submitted by Shakey Mom on Fri, 2010-03-19 - 10:14
Thank you for posting this...
I have actually had a woman in public look me in the eye and say, "Wow. You don't look like you have epilepsy". I was taken aback for a moment and then asked her, "What, exactly, does a person w/ epilepsy look like?". I think she then realized that her comment was inappropriate.
I shouldn't fault her though because its plain ignorance. The same way I am ignorant when it comes to cancer or some other ailment that I have never had to deal with... I just have the common sense not to say something stupid!!
Thanks again!!
Thank you for posting this...
I have actually had a woman in public look me in the eye and say, "Wow. You don't look like you have epilepsy". I was taken aback for a moment and then asked her, "What, exactly, does a person w/ epilepsy look like?". I think she then realized that her comment was inappropriate.
I shouldn't fault her though because its plain ignorance. The same way I am ignorant when it comes to cancer or some other ailment that I have never had to deal with... I just have the common sense not to say something stupid!!
Thanks again!!
Re: Myths About Epilepsy
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Fri, 2010-03-19 - 07:53
More myths abouit epilepsy to add to your list:
Myth: People with epilepsy cannot be employed. Fact: Many people with epilepsy are successful in all types of professions. Even today, people with epilepsy often do not discuss their medical disorder with co-workers for fear of what others may think. Yet, epilepsy is generally not a condition that gets worse with time.
Myth: People with epilepsy are physically limited in what they can do. Fact: In most cases epilepsy is not a barrier to physical achievement. In some circumstances, when seizures are not being well controlled, persons with epilepsy may be advised to refrain from certain activities such as driving an automobile, working at heights or working with certain machinery.
Myth: Only kids get epilepsy. Fact: Although epilepsy is more common in children and teens under age 15, epilepsy happens quite often to older adults, especially those with a history of stroke, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, more than 570,000 adults age 65 and above in the U.S. have the condition.
Myth: Epilepsy is rare and there aren’t many people who have it. Fact: Epilepsy in America is as common as breast cancer. There are more than twice as many people with epilepsy in the US as the number of people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined. Epilepsy can occur as a single condition, or may accompany other conditions affecting the brain, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injury.
Myth: Epilepsy is no longer a problem since there are medications to treat it. Fact: More than three million Americans of all ages are living with epilepsy. Every year 200,000 Americans will develop seizures and epilepsy for the first time. Unfortunately, treatment does not prevent seizures for everyone. Researchers continue to look for new ways to combat this disorder.
Myth: You can’t die from epilepsy. Fact: Epilepsy can become a life-threatening medical condition when seizures cannot be stopped. This year an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 will die of seizures and related causes. Patients with epilepsy have a mortality rate two to three times more than that of the general population, and their risk of sudden death is 24 times greater.
Research:
http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/
http://www.epilepsysandiego.org/index.asp?f=myths
Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
More myths abouit epilepsy to add to your list:
Myth: People with epilepsy cannot be employed. Fact: Many people with epilepsy are successful in all types of professions. Even today, people with epilepsy often do not discuss their medical disorder with co-workers for fear of what others may think. Yet, epilepsy is generally not a condition that gets worse with time.
Myth: People with epilepsy are physically limited in what they can do. Fact: In most cases epilepsy is not a barrier to physical achievement. In some circumstances, when seizures are not being well controlled, persons with epilepsy may be advised to refrain from certain activities such as driving an automobile, working at heights or working with certain machinery.
Myth: Only kids get epilepsy. Fact: Although epilepsy is more common in children and teens under age 15, epilepsy happens quite often to older adults, especially those with a history of stroke, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, more than 570,000 adults age 65 and above in the U.S. have the condition.
Myth: Epilepsy is rare and there aren’t many people who have it. Fact: Epilepsy in America is as common as breast cancer. There are more than twice as many people with epilepsy in the US as the number of people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined. Epilepsy can occur as a single condition, or may accompany other conditions affecting the brain, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injury.
Myth: Epilepsy is no longer a problem since there are medications to treat it. Fact: More than three million Americans of all ages are living with epilepsy. Every year 200,000 Americans will develop seizures and epilepsy for the first time. Unfortunately, treatment does not prevent seizures for everyone. Researchers continue to look for new ways to combat this disorder.
Myth: You can’t die from epilepsy. Fact: Epilepsy can become a life-threatening medical condition when seizures cannot be stopped. This year an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 will die of seizures and related causes. Patients with epilepsy have a mortality rate two to three times more than that of the general population, and their risk of sudden death is 24 times greater.
Research:
http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/
http://www.epilepsysandiego.org/index.asp?f=myths
Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com