Myths about epilepsy

At the present time, there is still a common, but devoid of scientific basis, myth that epilepsy is an incurable disease. According to world statistics, the use of modern antiepileptic drugs helps to reduce the likelihood of seizures in 65% of patients! Thus, adequate therapy, selected by a competent doctor, and strict implementation of recommendations by the patient can prevent both social and medical consequences of the disease. This, in turn, enables patients with epilepsy to get an education and work, start a family and have children.

10 Common Myths About Epilepsy

1. You may swallow your tongue during a seizure. It is physically impossible to swallow your tongue.
2. You must fix the mouth of the person who is having a seizure. Definitely not! This is a good way to injure your teeth and gums, or even break someone’s jaw. Proper first aid is simple. Gently turn the person on their side and place something soft under their head to protect them from injury.
3. You must restrain a person who is having a seizure. Never use hold! The attack will go on as usual, and you will not be able to stop it. Simple first aid to prevent injury is best.
4. Epilepsy is contagious. You cannot get epilepsy from another person.
5. Only children get epilepsy. Epilepsy occurs almost as often in people over 65 years of age as it does in children aged 10 and under. Seizures in older people are often the result of other health problems, such as stroke and heart disease.
6. People with epilepsy are disabled and cannot work. People with epilepsy have the same abilities and intelligence as the rest. Some of them have severe cramps and cannot work, others are successful in difficult careers.
7. At work, people with epilepsy should not be responsible (managers). People with epilepsy are found in all walks of life and at all levels in business, government, the arts and other professions. We don’t always know about them because many people, even today, don’t talk about epilepsy for fear of what others might think.
8. You cannot die from epilepsy. Epilepsy is still a very serious disease and people die from seizures.
9. You cannot tell what a person might do during a seizure. Attacks usually take a characteristic form, and the person will do the same thing during each episode. Behavior may be inappropriate for the time and place, but it is unlikely to harm anyone.
10. People with epilepsy are physically limited in what they can do. In most cases, epilepsy is not a barrier to physical achievement, although some people are more severely affected and may be limited in their abilities.