Editing Epilepsy (section)

===Stigma===
[[Social stigma]] is commonly experienced by people with epilepsy worldwide, and it can have economic, social, and cultural consequences.<ref name="WHO2023" /><ref name="Boer2010">{{cite journal |vauthors=de Boer HM |date=December 2010 |title=Epilepsy stigma: moving from a global problem to global solutions |journal=Seizure |volume=19 |issue=10 |pages=630–636 |doi=10.1016/j.seizure.2010.10.017 |pmid=21075013 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Misconceptions about the condition — including beliefs that it is contagious, a form of madness, or caused by supernatural forces — persist in many communities. In parts of Africa, including Tanzania and Uganda, epilepsy is sometimes associated with spirit possession, witchcraft, or poisoning, and is incorrectly believed to be contagious.<ref name="Jil1999" /> Similar stigmatizing beliefs have been reported in other regions, such as India and China, where epilepsy may be cited as grounds for denying marriage.<ref name="WHO2012" /> In the United Kingdom, epilepsy was legally considered valid grounds for annulling a marriage until 1971.<ref name="Nel2012" />

Stigma can also affect how people respond to a diagnosis. Some individuals with epilepsy may deny having had seizures, fearing discrimination.<ref name="Nel2012" /> A 2024 cross-sectional study found that 64.8% of relatives of people with epilepsy reported experiencing moderate levels of stigma, which was associated with more negative attitudes toward the condition. Greater stigma was observed among relatives of patients with more frequent seizures or poor medication adherence.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Erkal |first1=Emre |last2=Kiyak |first2=Emine |last3=Uren |first3=Yavuz |last4=Milanlioglu |first4=Aysel |date=October 2024 |title=Determination of stigma and attitude in relatives of patients with epilepsy |journal=Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy |volume=121 |pages=64–69 |doi=10.1016/j.seizure.2024.07.022 |pmid=39089140}}</ref>

Negative perceptions of epilepsy can also affect educational opportunities and academic outcomes.<ref name="Jacoby2007">{{Cite journal |last=Jacoby |first=Ann |last2=Austin |first2=Joan K. |date=2007 |title=Social stigma for adults and children with epilepsy |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01391.x |journal=Epilepsia |language=en |volume=48 |issue=s9 |pages=6–9 |doi=10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01391.x |issn=1528-1167}}</ref> Children with epilepsy are at increased risk of underachievement in school due to a combination of neurological factors, m edication side effects, and the effects of social exclusion.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Camfield |first=Carol S. |last2=Camfield |first2=Peter R. |date=2007 |title=Long‐term social outcomes for children with epilepsy |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01390.x |journal=Epilepsia |language=en |volume=48 |issue=s9 |pages=3–5 |doi=10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01390.x |issn=0013-9580}}</ref> These challenges can lead to long-term disadvantages in learning and social development. In some cases, students are placed in special education classes regardless of their actual cognitive abilities or excluded from school activities out of fear of seizures.

In adulthood, stigma can result in reduced employment opportunities and workplace discrimination. Adults with epilepsy are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than the general population, a disparity often driven by employer concerns about safety, productivity, or liability.<ref name="Jacoby2007" /> Disclosure of an epilepsy diagnosis in job applications or interviews may lead to discrimination, although nondisclosure can limit access to workplace accommodations.