I have had seizures since age 12. I remember kids who were no longer permitted to speak to me so they wouldn't "catch" it from me. Others believed that I was probably on drugs.
I agree, epilepsy doesn't have the media coverage of other diseases, such as diabetes.

Teachers need educated about this, also. I had a seizure in school, was thrashing on the floor. The teacher walked over, nudged my ribs with her foot, and said, "Get up!" A boy in my class took my head in his lap and said to the teacher, " go get the nurse, you ass! She's having a seizure!"

I myself don't fully understand . Epilepsy has been recorded since 2000 BC and I'm sure there's an earlier cases , butjust didn't get recorded . Many people way back and thought we were demons ,witches , or we were possessed . Some people of today still think that way . Others think and fear of the all the different myths and are afraid that we are contagious and they may catch it being around us.

My theory of epilepsy , is that it's not advertised as much like a lot of the other disorders and diseases like the many cancers including breast cancer . It's one of the most misunderstood and very understudied . Many doctors and nurses need more training for epilepsy too. Many people have been missed treated by doctors and nurses, because of our epilepsy . It really isn't a clear answer, why no one understands epilepsy today . It's very frustrating.

My thoughts on this ~ I think for most they don't understand it, they really don't know what it is and for most people, they fear what they don't know. I think we need to continue as we are, speaking out about, not hiding behind it, educating employers, schools and others about what Epilepsy is, what it does to those that have it and what they can do if they are around it. If we aren't ashamed then it will make others feel about it.

I dont even think about the "dark history stigma".....So many other issues like alcoholics, attics, domestic violence, illegal use of inhancement drugs, illegal dog fighting are all ok and forgivable by society and even legally limted consequences and seriously epilepsy is that stigmatized...yikes I just got more motivated to speak out. I guess we need an athlete or movie star to be our spokes person!!! I just got more educated.. thank you for the motivation! AND.. there was a post today of a fellow epileptic who was looking at jail time for possession of cbd oil that probably had little or no thc!! So disappointing😞

I believe that the stigma exists because people fear illnesses involving the brain. Mental illnesses have a stigma attached also. Education about epilepsy would be helpful.