|
 Myth #1- Epilepsy
is contagious |
| You simply cannot catch epilepsy from another person! |
|
| Myth #2- You can
swallow your tongue during a seizure |
| It's physically impossible to swallow your tongue. In fact, you should
never force something into the mouth of someone having a seizure. That's
a good way to chip teeth, puncture gums, or even break someone's jaw. |
|
| Myth #3- People
with epilepsy are disabled and can't work |
| People with the condition have the same range of abilities and intelligence
as the rest of us. Some have sever seizures and cannot work; others are
successful and productive in challenging careers. People with seizure disorders
are found in all walks of life and at all levels of business, government,
the arts and the professions. |
|
| Myth #4- People
with epilepsy look different |
| Unless someone with epilepsy is actually having a seizure there is
no way that his or her condition can be detected. |
|
| Myth #5- Epilepsy
is a form of mental illness |
| Epilepsy is an umbrella term covering about twenty different types
of seizure disorders. It is a functional, physical problem, not a mental
one. |
|
| Myth #6- With
today's medication, epilepsy is largely a solved problem |
| Epilepsy is a chronic medical problem that for many people can be successfully
treated. Unfortunately, treatment doesn't work for everyone and there's
a critical need for more research. |
|
 The truth
is that epilepsy is a fairly common disorder (there are over 3,000 cases
on Maryland's Eastern Shore alone) that can happen to anybody at any time.
In the vast majority of cases, epilepsy should not be a barrier to a normal,
productive life. It is too often people's misconceptions about epilepsy
which create the disability, not epilepsy itself. |
For
more information, please e-mail us at eaes@shore.intercom.net.
