Myths & Facts
about
Epilepsy & Seizures
For this section I sought out professional sources to make sure that everything I included is technically accurate. For each “myth and fact” I included the source that I found to be both specific and easy to understand. In general, there are some excellent sources of information about epilepsy and seizures online. These include Johns Hopkins Medicine, The Mayo Clinic, and WebMD. My purpose is only to increase awareness of common misunderstandings about epilepsy. For questions about personal situations please seek help from professional resources.
Myth: Epilepsy is a mental illness.
Fact: Epilepsy is considered to be a neurological disorder, characterized by unpredictable seizures. A seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain and between brain cells. It is true that as a result of epilepsy someone may experience things like anxiety or depression, because living with this condition creates real challenges. According to Nationwide Childrens' Hospital, “Epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system and affects people of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds.”
Myth: Anyone who has the diagnosis of epilepsy is intellectually deficient.
Fact: People with epilepsy can have memory problems, typically the unfortunate result of seizures, or on occasion the types of medications prescribed to treat the illness. However, the majority of those diagnosed with epilepsy do not have what are referred to as “cognitive impairments.” According to The Epilepsy Foundation these difficulties people with epilepsy can have are memory disturbance (the amount of information that can be processed at one time), and memory retrieval. In an article by The University of Hertfordshire “most people with epilepsy do not have intellectual disabilities, but a substantial minority of people with intellectual disabilities have epilepsy.”
Myth: During a seizure, a person can choke or swallow their tongue.
Fact: It is not possible for a person to swallow their own tongue. Rolling a person onto their side is the best approach when someone is having a seizure. This will keep them safe, keep their airway clear and prevent choking. Never try to place something in their mouth! The Epilepsy Foundation online is a good source for information regarding seizure first aid and provides online classes to obtain a certificate in Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certification.
Myth: You should try to hold someone down and keep them from jerking if they are having a seizure.
Fact: You can actually cause physical injury to someone having a seizure if you attempt to hold them down. Placing a soft object like a pillow, a purse or a folded jacket under the person’s head is helpful. You can also clear the area around them so they will not come into contact with any objects during the seizure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommendations for assisting someone who is having a seizure, which does NOT include holding a person down or trying to stop his or her movements, as this could cause the person injury.
Myth: If a person is making verbal noises or crying out during a seizure, it is because they are experiencing pain.
Fact: A person is usually unconscious or unaware during the majority of a more serious seizure, and they are not able to experience pain during that time. Any verbal noises, like moans, are involuntary during a seizure. Johns Hopkins Medicine states “strong tonic spasms of the muscles can force air out of the lungs, resulting in a cry or a moan, even though the person is not aware of their surroundings.” Muscle contractions may occur with some seizures, so muscle soreness may occur in the aftermath.
Myth: You should not try to talk to someone while they are having a seizure.
Fact: Talking to someone in a calm, supportive manner during a seizure can be helpful and give them something to focus on. This may aid their recovery from the seizure. The person may initially not be able to verbally respond but talking to them can assist them in refocusing to their surroundings. WebMD advises to speak calmly to someone who is having a seizure, and then, after the seizure is over, “Reassure them and explain what they missed if they are confused or frightened.”
Myth: Seizures only occur in people who have epilepsy.
Fact: A seizure can also be caused by a number of other factors, such as a high fever, low blood sugar or withdrawal from excessive alcohol use. The Mayo Clinic states, “Seizures can happen after a stroke, a closed head injury, an infection such as meningitis or another illness.” A person is diagnosed with epilepsy “after having two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart, that aren’t brought on by an identifiable cause.”
Myth: It is very easy to tell if someone is having a seizure.
Fact: This is not always the case. A person can be fully awake and aware during a seizure, although they may have a blank stare. The Mayo Clinic describes an Absence seizure which “may look like he or she is staring blankly into space for a few seconds. Then there is a quick return to a normal level of alertness.”
So, in conclusion, epilepsy is a neurological disorder leading to seizures that can, for some people, also cause some problems with memory and information processing. It is not a mental illness and having epilepsy does not mean someone is intellectually deficient. Not everyone who experiences seizures is diagnosable as epileptic.
If you are with someone who is having a seizure, good things to do are to roll them over on their side, remove objects around them that they could come in contact with, and gently reassure them in a supportive way. Putting something soft like a pillow under their head can be helpful. Give them time to recover and do not expect them to respond verbally until they are ready. Do not put something in their mouth or try to hold them down if they are jerking.
