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Myths about Epilepsy

  • 13-02-2012 12:35PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,490 ✭✭✭Fluorescence


    Today is the 2nd annual European Epilepsy Day, and Brainwave are campaigning to shed some light on the condition. Over half of the people with epilepsy have experienced stigma and prejudice in a recent survey, and this can only be combated with knowledge and insight. I'm hoping this thread will get people talking about the condition, and maybe people with epilepsy and friends/family members of people with epilepsy can chime in to give their experiences about it :D

    So to begin, here's a few myths about epilepsy, and the truth about them.

    Myth - It's contagious.

    FALSE. It's not contagious. You cannot "catch" epilepsy

    Myth - It's a mental illness.

    FALSE.
    It is a neurological condition, and has nothing to do with mental health. It's not like you can "catch" it it either from having a mental illness.

    Myth - You should put a spoon/rolled-up sock/tea-towel in their mouth to stop them biting or swallowing their tongue.

    FALSE.
    NEVER EVER EVER DO THIS. It can cause serious injury to the person having the seizure and in extreme cases could kill them if they suffocate on it. Never put anything on/in/near the person's mouth. If they appear to be choking on their tongue, try to roll them onto their side or put them in the recovery position/

    Myth - You can stop a seizure.

    FALSE. This is an extremely dangerous myth. NEVER try to restrain someone having a seizure. Clear a space around them and let them come out of it in their own time.

    Myth - It's extremely rare.

    FALSE.
    It is the most common neurological condition in Ireland. There are many types of epilepsy and no two cases are the same. There are also many types of seizure, the main 2 being Grand Mal (the stereotypical thrashing around on the floor) and Petit Mal (looking "spaced out" and being unresponsive for a few seconds or minutes).

    Myth - All epilepsy is caused by blinking lights

    FALSE.
    This type of epilepsy is called photosensitive epilepsy. Not all people diagnosed with epilepsy will have seizures triggered by lights.


    I'm sure there's a few I've forgotten, so feel free to add or change anything in this list. Here's a link to a bunch of short videos made by people with epilepsy to talk about their experiences.

    Lastly, here's an article from RTÉ:
    RT&#201 wrote:
    'Negative' attitudes to people with epilepsy


    Half of the people with epilepsy in Ireland have experienced persistent negative attitudes because of their condition.

    The Irish Epilepsy Association has said that half of the people with epilepsy in Ireland have experienced persistent negative attitudes because of their condition.
    Brainwave released its findings as part of the second annual European Epilepsy Day.
    According to Brainwave, there are 37,000 people with epilepsy in Ireland and despite advances in the treatment and care of the condition, many people continue to be stigmatised.
    Brainwave Chief Executive Mike Glynn said: "The results of our national survey would indicate that for over half of them, stigma is an ongoing social reality.
    "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."


    So people of After Hours, what do you think about epilepsy? Have you ever met someone with it? What did you know or assume about epilepsy if you have never had first-hand experience of it? What would you think if you saw someone having a seizure on the street?


«13456

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭Bipolar Joe


    I've known two people with epilepsy, and I fail to understand how you could have prejudice against someone with it. That's an odd and really specific prejudice. "Grr, I hate epileptics, with their inability to go to discos."


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,382 ✭✭✭lastlaugh


    Can someone who has epilepsy ever legally drive a car or are you automatically banned?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭Cianos


    lastlaugh wrote: »
    Can someone who has epilepsy ever legally drive a car or are you automatically banned?

    Pretty sure you're unable to get a drivers licence if you have epilepsy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 34,808 ✭✭✭✭smash


    Myth - You can stop a seizure.

    You can bring someone out of a seizure by administering diazepam rectally. If you wanted to of course.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,382 ✭✭✭lastlaugh


    Anyone who ever thought that it was contagious is suffering from a severe case of stupid.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 427 ✭✭scotty_irish


    lastlaugh wrote: »
    Can someone who has epilepsy ever legally drive a car or are you automatically banned?

    Once a doctor/neurologist deems you safe to drive you can drive. I think you need to be seizure free for a certain length of time and the doctor must believe that your epilepsy is stable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,490 ✭✭✭Fluorescence


    I'm not sure this is a fitting thread for AH.

    It's a news item - DeV had his thread on depression to raise awareness so why not? :)

    EDIT: Only just noticed the pun :pac:
    lastlaugh wrote: »
    Can someone who has epilepsy ever legally drive a car or are you automatically banned?
    Cianos wrote: »
    Pretty sure you're unable to get a drivers licence if you have epilepsy.

    Not necessarily. If a doctor can certify that your epilepsy is completely under control then you can drive.


  • Posts: 81,308 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Esme Puny Ginseng


    i can't believe anyone actually thinks it's contagious or a mental illness


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,252 ✭✭✭✭stovelid


    Well done.

    <snip>


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,784 ✭✭✭Superbus


    Myth: it is the devil himself possessing you and you need to be cleansed.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,059 ✭✭✭Sindri


    bluewolf wrote: »
    i can't believe anyone actually thinks it's contagious or a mental illness

    Nay, they be blessed by the Gods.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭Cianos


    If someone has a seizure, how can you tell it's epilepsy and not something else, that may require intervention?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,581 ✭✭✭✭TheZohanS


    Once a doctor/neurologist deems you safe to drive you can drive. I think you need to be seizure free for a certain length of time and the doctor must believe that your epilepsy is stable.

    It used to be 12 months, that may have changed now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,490 ✭✭✭Fluorescence


    smash wrote: »
    You can bring someone out of a seizure by administering diazepam rectally. If you wanted to of course.

    Also if you have a VNS, but I was referring to the notion that you can hold down a person to "snap them out of it" which can be quite damaging.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,050 ✭✭✭token101


    I don't think anyone actually believes any of these myths though!! I'd say a far more common myth is that you can catch epilepsy by playing computer games for more than an hour at a time, which I'd be reasonably confident is bollocks. My mam used to time me playing the Playstation when I was younger because the instruction manual said that if you played any longer you'd start having regular fits. When she used to turn it off sure I'd have a fit anyway :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,050 ✭✭✭token101


    Cianos wrote: »
    If someone has a seizure, how can you tell it's epilepsy and not something else, that may require intervention?

    Throw holy water on them and start shouting about the power of Christ.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,485 ✭✭✭Thrill


    lastlaugh wrote: »
    Anyone who ever thought that it was contagious is suffering from a severe case of stupid.

    Is that contagious?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,490 ✭✭✭Fluorescence


    token101 wrote: »
    I don't think anyone actually believes any of these myths though!! I'd say a far more common myth is that you can catch epilepsy by playing computer games for more than an hour at a time, which I'd be reasonably confident is bollocks. My mam used to time me playing the Playstation when I was younger because the instruction manual said that if you played any longer you'd start having regular fits. When she used to turn it off sure I'd have a fit anyway :D

    You'd be surprised :rolleyes:. Some people are really ignorant and fearful when it comes to something they know nothing about.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,305 ✭✭✭nibtrix


    Thrill wrote: »
    lastlaugh wrote: »
    Anyone who ever thought that it was contagious is suffering from a severe case of stupid.

    Is that contagious?

    Based on the amount of Reality TV shown these days, I'm going to guess "Yes".


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,753 ✭✭✭davet82


    lastlaugh wrote: »
    Anyone who ever thought that it was contagious is suffering from a severe case of stupid.

    Do you know where i can get treatment for that terrible disease you talk of? ;)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 34,808 ✭✭✭✭smash


    Poor form with most of these jokes lads.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,382 ✭✭✭lastlaugh


    Thrill wrote: »
    Is that contagious?

    That's a tricky one, I'm sure it could rub off on you, like if both your parents are complete imbeciles chances are you might show signs or symptoms of being an idiot?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭Bipolar Joe


    I dunno, the leper one made me laugh.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,753 ✭✭✭davet82


    smash wrote: »
    Poor form with most of these jokes lads.

    its monday morning we're just warming up ffs :rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,382 ✭✭✭lastlaugh


    token101 wrote: »
    I don't think anyone actually believes any of these myths though!! I'd say a far more common myth is that you can catch epilepsy by playing computer games for more than an hour at a time, which I'd be reasonably confident is bollocks. My mam used to time me playing the Playstation when I was younger because the instruction manual said that if you played any longer you'd start having regular fits. When she used to turn it off sure I'd have a fit anyway :D

    I used to play a lot of computer games when I was young, I had all sorts of ticks and twitches, used to feel to the compulsion to make noises aswell!

    My mother didn't know what the hell was wrong with me so she put it down to the computer games, although it wasn't epilepsy, she was probably right in that the games caused me to have twitches...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,490 ✭✭✭Fluorescence


    Cianos wrote: »
    If someone has a seizure, how can you tell it's epilepsy and not something else, that may require intervention?

    Tbh I'm not entirely sure. Some people with epilepsy wear a necklace or wristband to identify their condition in case they've a seizure in a public place but not all do (my brother doesn't, for example). :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,059 ✭✭✭Sindri


    Does epilepsy not have advantages, like being able to shake your tic tacs at rude misinformed people.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    Don't cinemas have to display warnings about strobe lighting?

    I remember when Titanic was released every cinema had warnings

    I assumed it could trigger a seizure, that was the reason
    But I know very little on the subject


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    I've been present during seizures twice and also had some training on how to handle them (back at college).

    It's pretty frightening stuff to watch but if you understand it's just a seizure and it'll pass it's not so bad.
    Just make sure the head isn't on the ground - hold it gently or put a jacket underneath and just wait.
    Check if you see a bracelet or card.
    Ring for an ambulance (unless you know the person).

    Seizures will drain the energy from the person so let them rest on the ground once it's over. Don't rush them to stand up or move about.
    Just be there really, it's comforting knowing someone is there to check on you until the ambo comes.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,490 ✭✭✭Fluorescence


    mikemac1 wrote: »
    Don't cinemas have to display warnings about strobe lighting?

    I remember when Titanic was released every cinema had warnings

    I assumed it could trigger a seizure, that was the reason
    But I know very little on the subject


    They do, to warn people who have photosensitive epilepsy. The same way video games etc have to have a warning in the manual.

    In fact, there was a bit of uproar lately about the newest Kanye West video which contains a lot of strobe lighting but no warning at the beginning. Article here:
    MTV wrote:
    'N---as In Paris' Video Warning Not Enough For U.K. Epilepsy Group

    'The warning won't necessarily work for everybody,' Epilepsy Action spokeswoman Louise Cousins says.



    A year after getting called out for the seizure-inducing potential of his strobe-tastic "All of the Lights" video, the Throne's Kanye West clearly got the message and preemptively put a warning on the "N---as in Paris" clip.


    But even with the notice that precedes the live performance collabo with Jay-Z — which uses dizzying, flashbulb-like psychedelic effects similar to the "Lights" video — the same group that called for the previous warning is urging caution.
    "Epilepsy Action was not consulted about this video, although we now know that watching it does pose a risk to people with photosensitive epilepsy," said Stacey Rennard, campaigns manager for the U.K. charity in a press release. "We are pleased to see that a warning has been put in place to make people with photosensitive epilepsy aware that the video may be harmful. However, the warning does not go far enough and the video is still potentially dangerous. Many people with photosensitive epilepsy, especially young people, do not know they have it until something triggers their first seizure."
    The new warning came because of concerns that those most vulnerable to experience seizures from the video may not be appropriately shielded by the disclaimer. "Photosensitive epilepsy is most prevalent in those aged 7 to 19," Louise Cousins, a spokeswoman for Epilepsy Action, told MTV News. "Everybody has a 'seizure threshold,' but somebody may have a tendency to have seizures but not come into contact with anything that has so far triggered it in them [until they view the video]."
    Cousins said the warning is fine for people who know they may suffer from the disorder, but those who are not aware may view the "Paris" clip even after reading the warning because they have never experienced a problem before.
    The organization was pleased that the Throne decided to proactively add the caveat — after Epilepsy Action campaigned to have one amended to "Lights" last year — and so far, there have been no reports of any problems.
    However, Rennard said that it was "very disappointing that, despite the concerns raised last year about the 'All of the Lights' video, Kanye West has knowingly made another video which could be harmful to some fans watching it. We would like to see the music industry show much more responsibility by not commissioning videos that contain potentially dangerous imagery."
    For now, Epilepsy Action is not concerned about any potential problems in England, where such videos are barred from airing on TV unless they are edited into safer versions.
    A spokesperson for the Throne could not be reached for comment at press time.


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