9th International Epilepsy Day – February 13, 2023 The stigma people living with epilepsy face around the world- M.A.Aleem Neurologist ABC Hospital Trichy

9th International Epilepsy Day – February 13, 2023 

The stigma people living with epilepsy face around the world

- M.A.Aleem Neurologist ABC Hospital Trichy 

Former Vice Principal HOD and Professor of Neurology KAPV Government Medical Trichy 

International Epilepsy Day is a special awareness day that takes place on the second Monday in February to shine a light on the challenges faced by people living with epilepsy. It takes place on February 13 this year. 

Epilepsy, also known as seizure disorder, is the fourth most common neurological disorder and one of the oldest-known medical conditions. 

The condition causes electrical activity in the brain to stop for a short time, which leads to recurrent seizures. Even though 65 million people in the world live with epilepsy, there is still some stigma around the disease.

Almost every year, a theme is chosen to guide the events  of International Epilepsy Day .

In 2023, International Epilepsy Day will focus on the stigma people living with epilepsy face around the world.

Epilepsy affects almost every aspect of the life of the person diagnosed with the disease. For many people living with epilepsy, the stigma attached to the disease is more difficult to deal with than the disease itself.

The stigma of epilepsy can discourage people from seeking treatment and has consequences for the quality of life and social inclusion.

Stigma with epilepsy can be reduced when people are given the opportunity to discuss the effects of stigma on their lives.

Educating people about epilepsy and dispelling myths can also reduce stigma. 

International Epilepsy Day exists to educate the general public about epilepsy and to teach people how to provide better care for people living with the disorder.

Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest-known medical conditions, with records dating back to the beginning of recorded history. Of course, back then, it was treated as a spiritual condition. In 2000 B.C., an ancient Mesopotamian text described a person who underwent an exorcism under the influence of a moon god. Ancient Babylonians attributed seizures to possession by evil spirits. The ancient Greeks also considered epilepsy to be spiritual possession, but they associated it with genius and divine interventions.

The stigma associated with epilepsy is also historical. In ancient Rome, people did not eat or drink from the same plates or pots as people living with epilepsy. Up to the second half of the 20th century, in some parts of Africa, epilepsy was believed to be contagious and a result of possession, witchcraft, or poisoning.

Epilepsy is such a part of documented history that it is mentioned in the “Code of Hammurabi,” the longest, best-organized, and best-preserved legal text from the ancient Near East. In the Code, it is referred to as a condition under which a slave may be returned for a refund. Epilepsy also gets a mention in an ancient Egyptian medical text called “The Edwin Smith Papyrus.”

The oldest detailed record of epilepsy is found in a 10th Century B.C Babylonian cuneiform medical text called the “Sakikku.”

Hippocrates in 5th Century B.C rejects Epilepsy as a Spiritual Problem

At a time when most people treated epilepsy as being spiritual, Hippocrates insists that it is a medically treatable problem originating in the brain.

The First Effective Anti-seizure Medication was Introduced in19th Century .

An antiepileptic medication, bromide, is used effectively for the first time.

A New Definition of Epilepsy

Dr. Robert Fisher, leader of the International League Against Epilepsy taskforce, publishes a new definition of the disease in an editorial called “A Revised Definition of Epilepsy.” 

 Epilepsy and marriage 

Epilepsy is a treatable chronic neurological disorder which is often linked to supernatural activities, due to lack of knowledge and awareness among the common people. The beliefs that outbreak of epilepsy as an unnatural or supernatural activities can be most frequently seen in rural population.

Even well educated people have misconceptions about epilepsy and marriage

It is one of the fourth most common neurological diseases, globally. In many parts of the world, people with epilepsy and their families suffer from stigma and discrimination. Hence, it is important to know the truth behind this condition.

People with epilepsy are completely normal between the episodes. With proper treatment and medication, 70 per cent of the patients with epilepsy can be cured, and they can lead a normal life. Every day, people with epilepsy are taking up demanding jobs, playing sports, and raising kids.

Myth: People with epilepsy cannot marry, have children and lead a normal family life.

Fact: People with epilepsy can marry, become pregnant, have children and a good family life.

Person with epilepsy can have a successful married life. There are many family members who have previously had epilepsy during their childhood but now, are living a normal married life. In our society, there is a fear of rejection of marriage proposal on disclosure of the disorder. But research on this condition has concluded that it’s better to disclose it if a person has this disorder prior to their marriage.  Contrary to popular belief, the chances of having a normal, healthy and successful pregnancy is more than 90%, without any effect on the baby.

Until December 1999, India was the only country in the world with "an absurd law on epilepsy and marriage.

According to the Indian  Marriage Act, 1955 and the Special Marriage Act, 1958, a marriage can be solemnized if at the time of marriage neither party suffered insanity or epilepsy. In 1976, the Government of India amended the 

Marriage Act (1955) and special Marriage Act (1954). As per this Marriage Laws 

Amendment Act 1976, a person subjected to recurrent attacks of insanity or epilepsy cannot have a legally valid marriage and such a marriage shall be voidable, resulting in divorce.

This was challenged in court and in August 1997 

Government of India responded to the courts order mentioning that the legislation to remove the grievance is in the offing. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill on November 30th 1999 and the Lok Sabha followed suit on December 20th 1999 during  BJP regime with Vajpayee as Prime minister. 

Today a person with epilepsy in india can have a legally valid marriage and epilepsy is no 

more an illness to claim for divorce.

The purpose of this International Epilepsy day is to heighten awareness, remove the stigma around epilepsy  and create awareness among people about epilepsy. 

Epilepsy has a patron saint

Saint Valentine is recognized in the Christian world as the patron saint of people living with epilepsy

International Epilepsy Day is important to breaks a culture of silence

When people speak about epilepsy, it is often in hushed tones, as if talking about the disease out loud would summon a seizure. This culture of silence means that there is a lack of information and a lot of misinformation about the disease. International Epilepsy Day works to erase the stigma surrounding epilepsy and provide some helpful information about it.

Too many people die of epilepsy.Every year, more than one in 1,000 people die suddenly due to epilepsy. Part of this is because, in many countries, they do not receive appropriate treatment because people, do not have enough information about available treatment for this disease.