Survey reveals negative attitudes towards epilepsy

Over half of people with epilepsy in Ireland experience persistent negative attitudes towards their condition, according to a national survey.

Brainwave – The Irish Epilepsy Association marked the second annual European Epilepsy Day this week by announcing the results of a survey of 455 people with epilepsy on their experience of stigma. The key results showed that just over 51% of those with epilepsy have experienced stigma as a result of their condition. 56% of people with epilepsy who are in employment do not feel comfortable telling their employer and work colleagues that they have epilepsy even though 70% feel comfortable telling their friends and family members, while 50% of people with epilepsy found that their employers and work colleagues attitudes towards them changed after they told them of their epilepsy. Over 50% of people with epilepsy find it offensive to be referred to as “an epileptic”.

Mike Glynn, CEO of Brainwave said “Despite advances in the treatment and care of people with epilepsy, many of the old myths around epilepsy linger on, with the result that people with epilepsy are still subject to negative attitudes.

“Despite the fact that epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition in Ireland, public awareness and understanding of the condition remains poor. Common misunderstandings include the belief that epilepsy is a mental illness, that it is contagious or that people with epilepsy are limited in terms of what they can achieve in their lives. There are also common misconceptions regarding seizure first aid which can be dangerous for the person with epilepsy”.

Brainwave has added a series of video interviews to its website, featuring people with epilepsy describing attitudes to the condition, challenges it poses for people and the common misunderstandings that exist about epilepsy including the use of inappropriate language. Visit epilepsy.ie to view them.