Mumbai : A study conducted at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has revealed that it is not only the severity of seizures, commonly known as ‘fits’, in epilepsy patients which is affecting the quality of their life, but depression, anxiety and psychological issues, too, act as a huge hindrance in their treatment. Neurological experts state that myths related to the disease and the society’s mindset towards epileptic patients is turning out to be stumbling block as it is greatly affecting the patients’ mental and physical health.
The study evaluated the quality of life in patients with epilepsy and the factors that influenced it, which further highlighted that patients’ emotional and mental states have a huge impact on their condition. The qualitative study was based on the interviews of the epilepsy patients, which focused on themes including ’affecting the whole person’, ‘influencing daily life’, ‘affecting relations’ and ‘meeting ignorance in society’.
Health experts stated that despite the availability of advanced therapies for epilepsy, one major roadblock for people to access care is the stigma about epilepsy in society. Myths and misconceptions about epilepsy have led to the isolation and unfair social discrimination of persons with epilepsy, leading to psychological stress. These factors add to the psychological stress of people with epilepsy and lead to a lower quality of life.
Dr Jayanti Wani, a consultant neurologist at Ambani Hospital, said, “It is being increasingly recognised that psychological issues like depression and anxiety are frequently associated with epilepsy and impact the quality of life significantly. A healthy attitude towards people with epilepsy will require a correct understanding of the disease as a medical problem and the removal of the misconception of epilepsy being a sin or a curse or being the result of the possession of evil spirits. Early diagnosis and therapy, along with psychological interventions utilising a multi-disciplinary approach, could prove instrumental in making the lives of people with epilepsy much better when other seizure-related factors are non-modifiable.”
