The Consequences of Epilepsy

The Consequences of Epilepsy

Epilepsy: Any of various neurological disorders characterized by sudden recurring attacks of motor, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of consciousness or convulsive seizures (1).

Is epilepsy a purely physical phenomenon? The question is a complicated one. Put simply, the answer should be yes. The psychological trauma sometimes caused by the seizures, however, makes the answer more complex, along with a more troubling trend. In years past epileptics were classed among the mentally ill, and received the same maltreatment as did that unfortunate group of people. Before that they were perceived as having been possessed by evil spirits. But now, in the modern world, we are free of those ignorant superstitions. Aren't we?

Scientifically, epilepsy is the term under which many seizure disorders are grouped. There are four basic types of seizures: petit mal, tonic-clonic (grand mal), simple partial, and complex partial (2). While petit mal seizures consist merely of a short period of immobility and blank staring, occasionally accompanied by brief loss of awareness, tonic-clonic seizures are much more dramatic (2). Also called grand mal seizures, they involve whole-body muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, temporary cessation of breathing, and involuntary biting of the tongue or cheek (2). The simple and complex partial seizures are calmer; the simple includes muscle contractions of a specific part, abnormal sensations, nausea, sweating, flushed skin, and dilated pupils. The complex partial seizure consists of all these symptoms as well as automatism (repeated motions), inappropriate emotions, changes in personality, altered consciousness, and hallucinations o...

... middle of paper ...

...ation, a page discussing the civil rights arguments put forth by various groups of people with epilepsy

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/advocacy/rights/disability.html?print=yes

9)The Epilepsy Foundation, a page dealing with the secondary problems caused by epilepsy

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/living/coping.html?print=yes

10)The World Health Organization, a webpage detailing the struggles of people with epilepsy in developing countries

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/en/

11)The Epilepsy Foundation, a page discussing the impact of epilepsy on the mental health of the patient in both a short-term and long-term context

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/clinicalcare/treatment/mentalhealth2.html

12)The Epilepsy Foundation, an article discussing epilepsy as a cause of death

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epusa/silent.html