Most people who suffer from epilepsy experience effects that run deeper than the seizures. The seizures last mere seconds, a few minutes at most; but because of the perpetual shadow that hangs over the disorder, the rest of their lives become tainted by social and psychological strain. People spend their lives trying to hide their epilepsy; even today the celebrity who comes out and admits it is rare.

The cloud continues to hang over epilepsy for many people because of the nature of the disorder. A seizure can be a very frightening moment to observe.  People you know and love can completely lose control over all motor skills. Eyes roll, teeth clench and limbs might flail. Those few seconds have been misinterpreted for as long as the disease has been around. Sometimes demons were to blame; sometimes God was bestowing visions. 

Since then, however, we’ve figured out what really causes seizures. When neurons (brain cells) send signals, they use electrical impulses. If too many of these signals are sent at once, a seizure is possible. Seizures come on all different scales and can be caused by many different factors.

There is no longer any reason for people with epilepsy to live with this stigma.  Looking back on history, some of the greatest minds had epilepsy and still were able to fulfill their potential. Epilepsy rarely lasts a lifetime- sometimes beginning when a person is young and fading over time or only beginning late in life. As long as a person is aware of their “triggers” (what is likely to make them seize) and is doing their best to treat it, there should be no real limitations on their daily life. Everyone needs to take the time and become informed. Accept others for who they are and accept that everyone’s bodies have their own quirks.