Some common misunderstandings surrounding epilepsy are innocently annoying and a nuisance yes, but they’re made by ignorant people who just don’t know any better like –
Epilepsy is contagious or it’s a mental illness
Other myths are just down right horribly dangerous and even potentially deadly like – Epilepsy is really a demon possession
My daughter who has suffered with an uncontrolled seizure disorder for fiftteen years, has been the victim of some outrageously ignorant statements and even false accusations concerning her experiences with epilepsy.
The following two mistaken beliefs in particular have negatively impacted my daughter’s well being and could have had disastrous results or even been fatal!
• Epilepsy is not really a problem today because there are many effective medications and treatments available that control seizures.
The fact is that approximately 150,000 Americans have epilepsy and 30% of them do not have complete control over their seizures despite having tried all the seizure medications available, different combinations of medication cocktails, surgeries, and having seizure devices implanted.
In the UK 600,000 people have epilepsy and 48% of them do not have complete seizure control.
• You cannot die from epilepsy. Yes, frighteningly so, you can die from having a seizure.
This is called SUDEP or Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.
The cold, cruel fact is that every year 1 out of 1000 people who have epilepsy will die unexpectedly while having a seizure. If seizures are uncontrolled the risk of SUDEP increases to 1 out of 150.
That’s too many people dying from epilepsy!
Share this link to help raise awareness of Epilepsy: The Facts https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/press/facts