Five misconceptions about epilepsy

February 13 is International Epilepsy Day. The objective of this day is to make the general public aware of this widespread pathology, since 50 million people around the world suffer from it. However, it is still the subject of many received ideas.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by the occurrence of seizures of various forms. They are linked to a sudden and transient dysfunction of the electrical activity of the brain. These seizures are caused by brain damage following a head trauma, brain malformation, stroke, infection (encephalitis, meningitis), tumor, have a genetic origin or have no known cause, which the it is called “idiopathic epilepsy”.

A disease that has many prejudices

Epileptic seizures are sometimes mistakenly attributed to spasmophilia or depression. But why is the disease so little known and is still the subject of prejudice? “It is true that epilepsy is an ancient pathology and in the Middle Ages, people who suffered from it were thought to be possessed. Today, patient associations are fighting against these prejudices which still persist” explains Hélène Gaudin, vice-president of Epilepsie France.

The five main misconceptions about epilepsy

“We therefore wish to communicate in order to convey certain messages and shake up prejudices around epilepsy.“supports Hélène Gaudin again.”Because ignorance leads to fear and creates unsuitable situations around patients and their pathology“. Here are five misconceptions that persist around epilepsy:

Epileptic seizures are always impressive: this is false.

In the collective imagination, seizures are spectacular, with a person losing consciousness, falling to the ground, convulsing and biting their tongue. In reality, it is only a form of crisis. Epilepsy can alsoexpress themselves through visible signs (trembling, tingling, involuntary movements, muscle rigidity, falls, etc.) or through signs that are not very visible, even invisible (contact breaks (absences), memory problems, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations auditory or visual…)“recalls the association Epilepsie France.

You can swallow your tongue during a crisis: it’s not true

This is one of the most common misconceptions about epilepsy. Anatomically, it is impossible to swallow one’s tongue because it is held back by a frenulum. Be careful not to put anything in the mouth of a convulsing person: they could break a tooth or swallow a piece of the object during the crisis. You should also not put your fingers in the mouth of a person who is convulsing. In addition to the risk of being bitten, this can provoke a vomiting reflex. If the person inhales this vomit, it can pose a life-threatening choking hazard.

Nothing should be done in the face of a convulsive epileptic fit: it’s not true

If you witness a person having an epileptic seizure, it is imperative to know how to react. Must therefore :

• Do not move the person except in case of immediate danger, such as the edge of the road or at the top of a staircase;
• Take the person to safety by clearing the space around them so that they cannot hurt themselves;
• Do not try to hinder his movements for the duration of the convulsions;
• Place it in the Lateral Safety Position (PLS) as soon as possible;
• If the crisis lasts more than 5 minutes, call the emergency services (15);
• Once the crisis is over, comfort the victim, let her recover, stay with her because she may remain confused for some time and be disoriented.

Epilepsy is a mental illness: it’s not true

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Some people sometimes confuse mental and neurological pathology. Epilepsy is a genuine neurological disease that impacts the electrical activity of the brain and disrupts the connections between neurons. However, during a crisis or just before the crisis, a patient may present behavioral disorders (disorientation) or gestural automatisms. But the disease does not create a mental disorder.

With epilepsy, one cannot work, one is limited in one’s activities: this is false.

Although considered to be a handicap, epilepsy does not prevent you from leading a normal life, subject to compliance with a few simple rules of hygiene of life and observance of treatment. However, it is possible that schedules or types of work are less well suited to their condition.