Epileptics live a double pain. In addition to suffering the pangs and pains of their illness, they are also victims of discrimination, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Epilepsia. They have a 7-fold increased risk of being segregated due to their disease, compared to the general population.
Researchers from the NHS Mental Health Trust and the University of Bristol in the UK carried out a study to establish the levels of discrimination of people withepilepsy. They interviewed 7,403 participants diagnosed with epilepsy and other chronic illnesses to analyze domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, and other stressful acts experienced by sufferers.
People with epilepsy are the target of discrimination
The results of this survey revealed that this neurological disease was subject to strong discrimination. Indeed, the epileptic are 7 times more likely to report having been discriminated against because of their disease, compared to the general population. This risk of segregation is greater than that of people suffering from other chronic diseases.
Patients also reported being at much higher risk for domestic violence and sexual abuse. However, this survey does not reveal a link between epilepsy and physical trauma or stressful acts.
In addition, this discrimination could be the cause of anxiety disorders and depression epileptics. Scientists estimate this risk at 42.7%.
“Our survey demonstrates that, despite all the progress made over the past 100 years, the experience of discrimination continues to be an issue of concern for people with epilepsy,” concludes Dr. Victoria Nimmo-Smith, lead author of the study.
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