Living With Epilepsy MYTHS ABOUT EPILEPSY 2019 Epilepsy

Myths About Epilepsy Contents Myths About Epilepsy Introduction Summary Why? Why are there myths about epilepsy? What are the main points of this lesson? Resources Is there anywhere I can go to seek help or find more information? © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. . Myths Summary Resources What is the purpose of this lesson? Contents Intro Why? What are the common myths about epilepsy? What are the truths to counteract the myths? What is in this lesson?

Intro Why? Contents Are you aware of the common myths about epilepsy and the truths that counteract them? It is important to know these because there is a lot of false information that many believe about epilepsy. Because people have not heard factual information about epilepsy, they believe all kinds of things about seizures and people who have them. The lack of education also leads to the stigma many people have towards people with epilepsy. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. . Myths Summary Resources Introduction

Today there continues to be false information shared about epilepsy. Largely due to lack of education about the seizure disorder, people with epilepsy live with preventable prejudice and discrimination. It is imperative we help separate fact from fiction so that the stigma is erased from epilepsy and for those that live with it daily. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. . Myths Summary Resources Throughout history there have been many myths and misconceptions about epilepsy. One of the first recorded references to it is in the Hammurabi Code, dated 1780 B. C. , where it was pronounced that epileptics could not marry or testify in court. This law and countless other expressions of discrimination have been dictated toward people with epilepsy for thousands of years. Why? Contents Intro Why are there myths about epilepsy?

There are many myths about epilepsy. The most common myths are shared with you, as well as the truth that counteracts them. Click on the myth to discover more information. Myth #1: Epilepsy is contagious. Myth #2: You can swallow your tongue during a seizure. Myth #3: You should restrain someone having a seizure. Myth #4: People with epilepsy cannot work or drive. Myth #5: Epilepsy is largely a solved problem. Myth #6: You should call 911 when someone has a seizure. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. . Myths Summary Resources Contents Intro Why? Most Common Myths About Epilepsy

Myth #1: Epilepsy is contagious. Although Epilepsy is a medical condition, it is NOT contagious. Never, ever can you catch it by being around someone who has it or even while they are having a seizure. The TRUTH is: • Epilepsy often appears in children and young adults, but anyone can develop it at any time. However, you cannot “catch it” by being around someone who has this seizure disorder. Other causes include: • Stroke or other damage to the brain • Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis • Brain tumors • Alzheimer’s Disease • A side effect of traumatic brain injury • Genetic forms of epilepsy © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. .

Myth #2: You can swallow your tongue during a seizure. The TRUTH is: • It is physically impossible to swallow your tongue. It can’t happen! • However, the airway can be obstructed during a seizure, including if their tongue relaxes or if they produce excessive saliva. • When someone is having a seizure, you can gently turn a person on their side and put something soft under their head to prevent them from hurting themselves. • Make sure not to insert anything inside a person’s mouth while they are having a seizure. The jaw has the most powerful muscles in the body. Putting something in their mouth is a good way for them to chip their teeth, puncture their gums or have your finger bitten off! Nothing should be put in someone’s mouth during a seizure. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. .

Myth #3: You should restrain someone having a seizure. The TRUTH is: • A person should NOT be restrained while having a seizure. It might cause an injury if you do. • It is a natural desire to want to help someone control themselves during a seizure. Their body is doing things that are not normal to you and you want to help. That’s a good thing! • Instead of restraining the individual, gently turn them on their side. You may put something under their head, and make sure objects have been removed around them so that they cannot hurt themselves. • It is only necessary to call 911 if it is their first seizure, the seizure has lasted longer than 5 minutes, or they have been injured during their seizure. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. .

Myth #4: People with epilepsy cannot work or drive. The TRUTH is: • People with epilepsy have the same intelligence and abilities as anyone else. Many individuals live regular lives, full of work and recreation, and that are not hindered by having a seizure disorder. • With some forms of epilepsy, people have multiple seizures that cannot be controlled with medication and therefore cannot work. • However, many people with epilepsy have jobs at all levels of government, business, the arts and other professions. • Eligibility to drive for people with certain medical conditions is regulated by each state. In most cases individuals are to be seizure- free for a certain amount of time, depending on the state, and to turn in doctor’s note stating their ability to drive safely. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. .

Myth #5: Epilepsy is a largely solved problem. The TRUTH is: • Epilepsy can be successfully treated for many people. • There are 150, 000 new cases of epilepsy diagnosed each year. • However, treatment doesn’t work for everyone. At least one million people with epilepsy live with uncontrollable seizures because no treatment is available to them. • There is a pressing need for further research, improved treatments, and a cure. • The Epilepsy Foundation’s vision is: “to create a world without epilepsy and lives free from seizures and side effects. ” © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. .

Myth #6: You should call 911 when someone has a seizure. The TRUTH is: • After having a seizure, most people do not usually need medical attention. It is only necessary to call 911 if one or more of the following are true: • It is their first seizure. • The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. (It is important to time it. ) • The person has been injured during their seizure. • The seizure takes place in water. • The person has difficulty breathing or waking from the seizure. • The person has other health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, or they are pregnant. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. .

It is important to learn the truth to counteract these myths and then to share your knowledge with others. The more people who know the truth about this seizure disorder, the more people with epilepsy can receive the care they need during a seizure. Also a better understanding of this medical condition will benefit people with epilepsy so that they do not face discrimination and prejudice in society or their workplace. Let’s do our part to make a difference in the lives of people with epilepsy, their family members, and caregivers. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. . Summary Resources The common myths about epilepsy have been shared with you. Also the truth to counteract the myths were explained so that you can separate fact from fiction. Myths Contents Intro Why? Summary

Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho 100 Warm Springs Avenue Boise, ID 83712 Phone: 208 -344 -4340 Email: info@epilepsyidaho. org The Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho (EFI) leads the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy. Over 22, 000 people in Idaho are living with epilepsy or seizure-related conditions, and the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho serves as the principal advocate for the epilepsy community. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support and help. The Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho and many organizations like it are making a difference in the lives of others with epilepsy. © 2019 Epilepsy Foundation Idaho. All Rights Reserved. . Resources To find out more information about epilepsy or how you can help, please contact the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho at www. epilepsyidaho. org. Myths Summary Contents Intro Why? Resources