EPILEPSY AS A PSYCHO-SOCIAL DISEASE
Epilepsy is usually considered a medical disorder. But for centuries it has been a psycho-social disease as well. This is not because of anything intrinsic to the disorder. Epilepsy is not confined to any social group, nor is it contagious. Epilepsy is a psycho-social disease because of the reactions, or perceived reactions, of society to persons with epilepsy, and because of the psychological and social problems often associated with the disorder.Epilepsy is a chronic condition, but unlike most other chronic health conditions, which have constant problems, recurrent seizures of epilepsy wax and wane over time. Dr. William Lennox, considered one of the fathers of American epilepsy treatment, characterized the disorder as “a recurrent tidal wave” compared with the constant rough seas of many other chronic health disorders. This is an apt metaphor.Most of the time, most people with epilepsy are normal, subject to the same stresses and strains as everyone else. Most of the time, seizures do not complicate their lives. Most individuals with epilepsy take their medication and go on. But then, usually without warning, some of these individuals with controlled epilepsy are suddenly swamped by the tidal wave of another seizure. After the seizure they usually right themselves and put their lives back in order, not knowing when, or if, another tidal wave will strike. Thus epilepsy is complicated by the uncertainty factor.Where will your child fit on the broad spectrum of the epilepsies? Will he or she have “benign” epilepsy of childhood or one of the other chronic epilepsies in which recurrent seizures vary in frequency and severity? Will he have one of the additional disabilities sometimes associated with epilepsy?The underpinnings of many future possible difficulties begin in childhood and are, to a large extent, the result of the psycho-social impact of epilepsy on the child and on the family. If the physician and the parent are sensitive to the possible development of these problems, many can be avoided.*210\208\8*
