Tag: Epilepsy

Blog · Dealing with epilepsy · Way too personal

Is it fear or lack of respect that you see the most?

Codrin PO

I was speaking with one of those Facebook friends that you never met the other way. She also has a very specific disorder, although not epilepsy, but close to the spectrum.

When asking what she hates the most about her condition, she said “the way the others perceive her”. Thinking about epilepsy, how do friends and acquintances see you and what do you hate about it? I saw in the eyes of people that know about my epilepsy many things, but two stick out:

  1. Fear – people fear that you’ll have a seizure anytime, anywhere. But the fear is not that you’ll get hurt, but that they won’t be able to handle what is happening.
  2. Lack of respect – there are many myths about epilepsy (see my past articles) and many people believe them. Many people think that we are all photosensitive, or that we inherited it, or that we have a smaller IQ because of it. The last one is the one I saw many times, regardless of saying to people that Caesar, Dostoyevski, Agatha Christie, Alfred Nobel, Van Gogh and Theodore Rosevelt (among many others) had it.
Dealing with epilepsy · Misconceptions · Not too personal

Myths debunked #2: epilepsy and a sex life

Codrin PO

There is a common myth that people with epilepsy cannot have a healthy sex life or that engaging in sexual activity can trigger seizures. This misconception is not true and can lead to unnecessary fear and stigma surrounding the topic.

The reality is that epilepsy, in most cases, does not directly affect a person’s ability to have a fulfilling sex life. Epilepsy is primarily a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, and its impact on sexual function varies from person to person.

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Dealing with epilepsy

Myths debunked

Codrin PO

There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding people with epilepsy. It’s important to dispel these myths in order to promote understanding and support for individuals living with epilepsy. Here are some common myths:

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Blog · Dealing with epilepsy · Way too personal

Navigating love with epilepsy: challenges faced when dating

Codrin PO

Dating can be an exhilarating journey filled with anticipation, butterflies, and the hope of finding a lasting connection. However, for individuals living with epilepsy, the experience of dating can come with unique challenges and uncertainties. In this blog post, we will explore the problems that people with epilepsy often encounter while dating and offer some insights on how to address them.

  1. The Fear of Disclosure: One of the most significant challenges faced by individuals with epilepsy when dating is deciding when and how to disclose their condition. Fear of stigma, misconceptions, and rejection often complicate this process. Some individuals may worry that their potential partners will view their epilepsy as a burden or a barrier to a healthy relationship. Striking the right balance between openness and personal privacy can be a delicate task.

Suggestion: It’s important to remember that epilepsy is a medical condition and not a reflection of one’s character or worth. When considering disclosing your epilepsy, choose a comfortable and appropriate time to have an open conversation. Education and dispelling common misconceptions about epilepsy can help alleviate fears and foster understanding.

Continue reading “Navigating love with epilepsy: challenges faced when dating” →
Dealing with epilepsy

Living with epilepsy – how bad it is

Codrin PO

Quite a while back, I realized that living with epilepsy has multiple sides to it, and I kept thinking (and complaining here) of just one: just my point of view as a person with epilepsy.

But there is something else to think about: how it affects the people around you. I got a harsh reminder a few weeks ago when I had a seizure at home with just my 7yo kid around. I taught him the procedure: go on my phone, click on the emergency call and call the emergency numbers I set up there (my neighbor across the street and his mother).

He did that; he even called my neighbor on my desktop WhatsApp app because the laptop was open when all happened. He left voice messages to people, opened the intercom in the building and let my neighbor in.

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