How does one deal with the stigma (if any) about being a possible epileptic?

[Anonymous]

How does one deal with the stigma (if any) about being a possible epileptic?

How big of a deal is it?

[selfishstars]

I haven't ever noticed much of a stigma associated with it.

However:

1. Seeing someone have a seizure can be very scary for people. They're worried about whether or not you're okay, they might not know what to do, they feel helpless. Depending on the type of seizure, it can be quite dramatic (i.e. tonic-clonic seizures).

2. Often the person having the seizure might feel embarrassed afterward, particularly if they feel like they "caused a scene".

If you have epilepsy, my advice is to let the people around you that you trust (friends, family, your supervisor at work, etc.) know that you have epilepsy, what your seizures look like (if you know) so they know what to expect if you have one, and what they should do if you have one (i.e. don't restrain you, but move things out of the way and protect your head so you don't injure yourself; if there's any medication that you carry with you that they should give to you, if/when they should call an ambulance, etc.).

And try not to feel embarrassed if you do have a seizure, because obviously it's not something you can help.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't aware there was a stigma...

One of my friends has epilepsy - we'd not ever considered it an issue. (Except for the time we had to call her an ambulance because she had a fit... Then the biggest issue was deciding who'd go with her cos apparently they don't let 7 people in an ambulance! Lol)

[D1rk13]

No Stigma. I have an epileptic friend that is probably more popular in society than anyone else I know.

[Anonymous]

Julius Caesar was one.

[Asker]

No sh*t?

[Opinion Owner]

Indeed. At the time, it had to be hidden from public knowledge, but his physician reported on it.