Epilepsy: Lets talk about it
On the second Monday of February, International Epilepsy day is celebrated globally in an attempt to spread awareness, trash myths, help sufferers and build a more inclusive and conscious society. This year the day falls on February 12 2024.
Started in 2015, It marks the annual awareness ambition started by International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
Epilepsy and seizures are viewed from a very stained and small lens. This gap of knowledge about the neurological condition has attached a lot of stigma and discrimination in the diagnosed population.
Its influence in the lives of patients and the ways in which it hinders their personal functioning is crucial to understand so we widen our horizons of empathy.
What is Epilepsy?
As a very general notion, most people believe it is simply the occurrence of sporadic seizures. But, in reality, this grave condition has a multi-dimensional impact on an individual’s life, affecting their physical, mental and social well-being.
Apart from fostering misconceptions, the lack of awareness can also lead to delayed seeking of treatment and further exacerbating the condition.
Epilepsy is a biological condition characterised by repeated seizures, infecting people of all ages and genders. This annually celebrated awareness day unites the world in a shared cause and shedding light on the barely scratched ice-berg of this neurological disorder.
This day opens up opportunities for individuals and communities to converge in making a difference for the impacted people.
How do I contribute?
Play you bit in making the world’s embrace more wider today by:
- Spreading Awareness, posting on social media, talking to patients and empathising with their struggles and making people sensitive and enlightened about this condition.
- Purple is the colour: The official colour for this event is Purple. Try dressing and draping purple through outfits, accessories or ribbons
- Attend or organise gatherings and talk about this condition on a wider platform by arranging local or virtual events, seminars, or workshops.
- Connect and show your support to survivors and suffers by donating to NGOs that work to make life better for epilepsy-affected warriors.
Trash some Myths
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding the condition. Let’s explore some of the most debilitating disbeliefs surrounding this condition and dispel it though open communication.
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Epilepsy and Seizures are the same.
Seizures are short disruptions in brain’s electrical activity. People may have seizures unrelated to any serious biological condition. But, epilepsy is always denoted with recurring seizures.
Seizures are not just limited to convulsions, but also manifest as twitching, rigidity, spasm or staring, stupor or altered emotions and sensations.
2. It is a psychological disorder
Epilepsy, is, in fact a neurological disorder manifesting when the electrical activity in the brain is disrupted. It can be shadowed by depression and anxiety owing to the stigma enveloping it, but, it is not a psychiatric condition.
3. They are rare
Epilepsy affects millions of people. Comorbidities like Alzheimers, brain tumour, brain stroke or head injury contribute to its prevalence.
This global event which is a significant neurological disorder claims millions of people as a victim worldwide. Dedicating a day to understand, destigmatize and support epilepsy survivors and patients is a huge mark of recognition for the people affected by it and promotes a supportive and safe society.
