Social Issues and Quality of Life with Epilepsy, Legal Concerns and Effective Advocatory Strategies.
- Author:
Ji Eun KIM
1
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Korea. jekim2@cu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Epilepsy;
Stigma;
Social issue
- MeSH:
Epilepsy;
Quality of Life;
Social Adjustment;
Social Environment
- From:Journal of Korean Epilepsy Society
2008;12(1):3-10
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
There has been a longstanding concern in the field of epilepsy that, although progress continues to be made relative to medical management of epilepsy, attention is less focused on social adjustment of individuals with epilepsy. For many people with epilepsy, the continuing social reality of their condition lies as a stigma. While there have been documented improvements in public attitudes towards epilepsy, the remnants of "old" ideas about epilepsy continue to inform popular concepts resulting in a difficult social environment for those affected. The social and quality of life problems arising from a diagnosis of epilepsy can represent greater challenges than warranted by its clinical severity. The relationship between stigma and impaired quality of life is well documented. We need to champion a better resourced research agenda into the social realities of epilepsy, and the ways these can be improved.
