I decided to do something different and ask a guest writer to write an article since I couldn't figure out how to touch this topic even though I talk about it and live with it.
For many, epilepsy is a
health challenge that’s meant to be borne in isolation. While that the notion appears to be self-preservative on the first glance – if no
one knows about your condition, you’re sheltered from the prying
(and judgmental) eyes of the public – in reality, it is
counterproductive and not
to mention dangerous. Concealing epilepsy is a perilous practice
that almost always leads
to isolation, secrecy anti-social behavior, and social deprivation
amongst other things.
You have to stay positive
despite the odds and the first
step in staying positive is accepting the fact that Epilepsy is part
of who you are. That’s nothing to be ashamed of if anything
it’s something you should be proud of – despite the odds you’re
where you are today, waning stronger and best still you’re not
alone.
Epilepsy affects
about 50 million people globally. In the US alone nearly 3 a million adults & 470k children live with the condition, but
for its high prevalence, epilepsy is still shrouded in an air of
mystery. Demystifying the illness and raising awareness about it
starts with you. How much do you know about epilepsy? How vocal are
you about awareness and what measures are you putting in place to
educate others? When you have the correct answers to these questions
you’re not only equipping yourself to overcome the limitations
brought about by epilepsy; you’re also laying the foundation for
other patients to live a stress-free life. This article is a premier
on what you need to do to set this mechanism in motion
- Knowledge is key
Epilepsy is a chronic
neurological condition with several physical and psychosocial
consequences. Emphasis on psychosocial, while the landmark
characterization of epilepsy is often regarded to be seizures,
epilepsy usually mediates the development of certain neurological
disorders that can then precipitate into psychosocial problems.
Seizures fall into the
physical group of consequences and with them comes the risk of
injury, hospitalization and even death. That said, the often
overlooked psychological aspect of epilepsy also poses a threat to
the health and wellbeing of affected individuals. Research
has shown that people living with epilepsy are at risk of settling
for social isolation and self-confinement. In addition, they’re
also reported to have below standard levels of education, higher
unemployment rates and in some cases have trouble finding a partner.
In truth, however, the
burden of epilepsy patients go past these simple definitions. For
many patients, epilepsy has
translated into living a life of fear – fear that the condition
is only going to get worse, fear of the future unpredictability that
comes with epilepsy, fear of raising kids, fear of the hereditary
consequences of the disease e.tc. In fact, per
one study of individuals living with epilepsy, fear, and
uncertainty both of which manifest as anxiety and depression were the
most consequential issues affecting the quality of their lives
The good news is that
with the right information at hand the severity of these
complications can be reduced to an almost null value. Most episodes
of epileptic seizures are
triggered by specific circumstances that vary from one individual
to another. Knowing what predisposes you to seizures is the first
step towards preventing future occurrence and improving your quality
of living. Drugs also go a long way in reducing the frequency and
extent of epileptic episodes. If you’ve been officially diagnosed
with the condition chances are that you’re already on some
medication. It’s imperative that you religiously adhere to the
dosage requirement. Don’t skip doses and by all means, never quit
on your medication without express approval from your physician.
Furthermore, understand
that depression and anxiety is a
common offset of epilepsy. With one in three epilepsy patients
developing depression at some point, there’s
a chance that you might as well come down with depression. But, as
we’ve already reiterated that’s to be expected, the key here is
to tackle the problem head-on instead of brooding and allowing it to
escalate further. Ask yourself these questions; am I happy? What are
the factors hindering my happiness? Is it my fears, or anxiety, or am
I depressed because of my epilepsy? When you narrow down the root
cause of the problem and the impact it has on your psychological
health, it becomes even easier to seek professional help. Remember,
seeking support and actively working to improve your overall health
is part and parcel of the journey towards living a happy and
fulfilled life with epilepsy.
Finally, Information is
also the key to addressing the psychosocial consequences borne by
people living with epilepsy. Many stigmatize PWE without realizing
that epilepsy is an incommunicable condition that can be managed to a
practically asymptomatic state. According
to the WHO, with the right treatment, nearly 70% of individuals
living with epilepsy can live seizure-free. This is where you need to
cultivate your inner spirit of advocacy. People need to know that
epilepsy is very far from being a death sentence. Employers need to
know that while you might be vulnerable in certain circumstances,
you’re not by any means incapable of fulfilling your duties and
completing set tasks. Take the time out to talk about epilepsy on
social media. Sign up for and participate actively in epilepsy
groups. Overall, show the world that while it can be sometimes
challenging, living life as someone with epilepsy is no less fun and
fulfilling.
By wirte_aritst
Amanda Rae
Instagram : @EpilepticMom
Twitter : @EpilepticMomAR
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