Common Myths About Epilepsy

Many myths associated with epilepsy largely create misunderstandings and stigma about the disease. The following are the most common myths and their truths that have been uncovered:

• You can swallow your tongue during a seizure.
  This is not true; physically, it is impossible to swallow your tongue
• You should put something in the person’s mouth during a seizure.
  This is an extremely dangerous myth.Nothing should ever be placed in the mouth of a seizing patient, as this can pose a choking hazard.
• You should hold or restrain a person in a seizure
  Restraining a person during can increase the risk of injury.. It is more useful to clear the area of any potential hazards and cushion the head to prevent any injury.
• Epilepsy is an infection.
  Epilepsy cannot be spread from one person to another. It is not contagious.
• All seizures involve convulsions.
  Convulsions are not the only manifestation of seizures. Non-convulsive seizures are very common in people with epilepsy and often involve a transient loss of consciousness or other changes in behaviour.
• People with epilepsy have low IQ or intellectually disability.
  This is not necessarily true. People with epilepsy can have normal IQs
• People with epilepsy cannot maintain a job
  There are many people diagnosed with epilepsy who work and maintain successful careers.
• All people with epilepsy should avoid flashing lights.
  Not every type of epilepsy is “photo-sensitive.” Only those people who have been diagnosed with a photo-sensitive type of epilepsy should avoid flashing lights.
• You cannot die from a seizure.
  Although it is very rare, seizures unfortunately can cause death. Unfortunately accidents and drownings are reported in relation to seizures. Additionally, there is a rare condition called SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) which can result in unexplained death, particularly in people with poorly controlled epilepsy.
• People with epilepsy should avoid sports and other activities.
  A lot of epileptic patients can play sports and other physical activities, although this is determined by their seizure control and other individual factors. Depending on the sport and severity of the disease certain precautions may need to take place.

Celebrities who suffer from epilepsy

• Danny Glover: The Oscar-winning actor was diagnosed with epilepsy at an early age. Glover attributes a lot of his success to overcoming his seizures at the age of fifteen .
• Lil Wayne: The entertainer, whose original name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, was diagnosed with Epilepsy and has been in and out of hospital due to seizures.
• James Madison: In November 1775 during a military drill Madison was witnessed to have absence seizures, a type of epilepsy characterized by a brief loss of consciousness. .

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