Debunking Myths about Epilepsy

Several educational websites have posted a kind of epilepsy news that isn’t really news at all. Organizations in the US and the UK are combating common myths about epilepsy.

They’re correcting common misperceptions with accurate information about epilepsy, its causes, treatment, and what it’s like to live with this condition.

Some myths are very basic:

• you can ‘catch’ epilepsy from someone who has it
• people with epilepsy aren’t very smart
• epilepsy is a form of mental illness

The facts are, of course, that:

• epilepsy isn’t contagious
• epilepsy is a physical condition, not a mental handicap
• epilepsy is a medical condition that results from too much and disturbed electrical discharge in the brain. It has far more in common with an irregular heartbeat than it does with mental illness.

Common myths about what causes epilepsy include the belief that it’s a congenital condition, present at birth, and it can’t be prevented. The truth about epilepsy is that it can start at any time of life and that, while no specific cause can be identified most of the time, severe head injuries often cause seizures.

Since two very common causes of severe head injuries are car and bicycle accidents, using car restraint systems and infant seats and wearing helmets are crucial ways to prevent epilepsy.

A persistent myth is that people with epilepsy are in danger of swallowing their tongues during a seizure, so anyone witnessing a seizure should put a spoon or a similar object into the mouth of the person with epilepsy.

This isn’t only wrong—it’s dangerous. It’s physically impossible to swallow one’s own tongue, and trying to insert an object in the mouth of someone having a seizure can cause injury.

Another myth is that seizures require emergency treatment. However, unless they persist for more than five minutes or continue as a series of repeated seizure, there’s usually no need for an ambulance. Nor can you help someone ‘wake up’ or ‘snap out’ of a seizure.

The best thing to do is to stay calm, move any hard or sharp objects away from the person having a seizure, and place something soft under his head.

Some misinformed people believe that those who have epilepsy shouldn’t drive, fly, or drink alcohol and aren’t allowed to marry. The truth is, unless they’ve had a seizure within the last year, people with epilepsy are safe to drive. They travel on airplanes like anyone else.
Some people with the condition don’t drink alcohol because it makes their seizures worse; others find that it makes no difference at all whether or not they drink.

And, as for marriage, nothing about epilepsy prevents people who have it from finding and marrying a special someone and living a long and happy life together.

Summary: You wouldn’t believe what some people believe about epilepsy. Find out about some common myths and the truths that debunk them.