Stigma in Patients with Epilepsy: Censored Side from Ancient Times to the Present

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting more than 50 million people, and more than 80% of these patients live in developing countries. There has been significant progress in pharmacological and surgical treatments of epilepsy in recent years. However, epilepsy poses a unique challenge to patients and their families. Stigma is a major issue for patients with epilepsy, which can discourage subjects from seeking therapies and lead to shame and frustration. To compensate for this discrimination, patients try to protect themselves through social withdrawal, resulting in the deprivation of many social and citizenship rights.

It is the great responsibility of those who provide services to people with epilepsy, especially physicians, nurses, and public health workers, to understand the importance of the devastating effect of stigma on the progression and recovery of epileptic patients. Increasing public awareness and strengthening self-esteem and confidence in patients with epilepsy is an essential and undeniable necessity in dealing with stigma.