Stigma -- and the factors that contribute to it -- include:

• Lack of awareness
• Lack of timely, complete, and accurate information
• Misperceptions
• The broad, varied spectrum of disability among people with epilepsy
• Over-concern about safety and over-protection limiting choices and options
• Learned helplessness
• Social tolerance for stigma and discrimination
• Insufficient research on stigma and psychosocial aspects of epilepsy
• Liability concerns
• Fear

Actions and plans to address stigma must be inclusive of all cultures, as well as include:

• People with epilepsy
• Family members of people with epilepsy
• Caregivers of people with epilepsy

And these individuals must include planned health communication strategies that involve the top three priority audiences:

• School personnel
• Persons with epilepsy and their parents or caregivers
• Health care gatekeepers, including nurse practitioners and school nurses

back to top