Can We Cure Epilepsy?

Over the course of the last three decades, notable advancements in science and technology have made the once impossible, possible. Through the advancement of science once incurable diseases have become treatable and, in some cases, curable. Even in situations where treatment options are limited, research scientists have been able to develop improvements that drastically increase the patient's quality of life. Such is the case with epilepsy. Although medical scientists have not found a definitive cure for the disease, they have found salient treatment methods that can improve the quality of life for the patient with this condition.

Reviewing what has been written abut epilepsy, a precursory overview of the current literature suggests that this disease can have debilitating effects on the individual's quality of life. "Epilepsy is a common neurologic disorder and poses substantial burdens on physical and mental health. Epilepsy can interfere with social functioning by limiting employment, educational opportunities, and interpersonal relationships and can increase the risk of death" (Prevalence of..., 2005, p. 1080). Epilepsy affects almost one percent of the population over the course of a lifetime and had an estimated medical cost of $12.5 million in 1995 (Prevalence of..., 2005). What this data clearly suggests is that epilepsy has a notable impact on both society as a whole and the individual.

While the physical effects of epilepsy can make it difficult for the patient to lead a normal life, research on this condition also demonstrates the epilepsy can have a damaging effect on the mental health of the patient. Mikhailov, Wasserman, and Sinyakova (2004) in their examination of the history of epilepsy in the general population note that since the disease was first recorded in Roman history, it has been associated with social stigmatization. "The Romans considered a person with epilepsy 'unclean' or implicated in dishonest deeds. People were encouraged not to touch an epileptic, and the only adopted methods of infection prophylaxis in there presence of an epileptic was to spit, which was believed to help spit out the infection floating in the air in the form of a demon" (p. 7). Although the medical understanding of epilepsy has changed over the course of history, Mikhailov, Wasserman, and Sinyakova contend that the social stigmatization that was initially attached to this disease has not. As such, even in modern society, those with epilepsy can experience a high degree of social stigmatization as a direct result of their illness.

The social stigmatization associated with epilepsy remains the most significant feature of the disease. According to Mikhailov, Wasserman, and Sinyakova "...the social and psychological problems of patients with epilepsy are often more significant than seizures. Patients often face difficulties caused by society's poor awareness about the disease rather than by the disease itself" (p. 9). Unfortunately, at the present time, the social stigmatization associated with epilepsy has become hegemonic in modern culture. As such, removing social stereotypes of epilepsy that have become entrenched in modern culture is a process that is difficult, if not impossible. For this reason, individuals with epilepsy often find that they are disenfranchised because of social attitudes about their disability, not because of the physical effects of the condition.

While the social disenfranchisement that can occur as a direct result of a diagnosis of epilepsy can promulgate considerable hardship for the individual, researchers have also noted that epilepsy carries with it a high risk for comorbid psychiatric disorders. Mikhailov, Tabulina and Gromov (2004) report that the most common secondary psychiatric disorders that develop with epileptic patients are neurotic states. According to these authors: "Emotional disorders in patients with epilepsy manifest in the form of unstable mood, affective stress, irritability, predisposition to dysphoric and hypochondriac responses and depressive feelings" (p. 63). These authors go on to note that the presence of epilepsy has also been associated with an increased risk for the development of depression. In some cases, the psychiatric conditions are a direct response to the social problems associated with epilepsy. In other cases, these conditions manifest by a separate etiology that is not directly related to the social aspect of epilepsy. In both cases, however, the presence of emotional disorders has a dramatic impact on the patient's quality of life.

Clearly, what the data on epilepsy suggests is that the condition carries with it a myriad of physical and mental health complications. For the patient that does not incur psychiatric illness as a direct consequence of the etiology of the disease, it is possible that mental illness will result as a reaction to the social stigmatization that is associated with the condition. In this context, it is clear that patients with epilepsy face a number of notable challenges when it comes to social development. Thus, it is not surprising to find that many individuals with this condition will go to great lengths to find treatment alternatives that can improve not only their physical functioning, but also their mental health. However, when one considers the current treatment options that are available it is clear that the treatments may be worse than the disease.

Reviewing the current treatment options that are available for patients with epilepsy, research shows that there are a wide range of anti-seizure medications on the market. While these medications produce results in many patients, side effects with the drugs coupled with the need to increase doses over the course of time, create numerous problems for epileptic patients. Seppa (2005) notes that for patients with severe epilepsy that is medication resistant, removal of the brain affected by epileptic seizures can promulgate relief. Seppa notes that in 48 seizure patients that had use this surgical procedure, most (40 patients) had been able to remain seizure free for several years. However, the idea of having part of the brain removed just to ensure normal social and physical functioning appears to be a drastic measure. However, while these treatment options do not represent a guarantee for a normal life, they do provide some hope for the epileptic patient.

References

Mikhailov, V. A., Tabulina, S. D., & Gromov, S. A. (2004). Depression as a factor affecting the quality of life assessment in patients with epilepsy. International Journal of Mental Health, 33(3), 63-68.

Mikhailov, V. A., Wasserman, L. I., & Sinyakova, A. V. (2004). Stigmatization and quality f lie in patients with epilepsy. International Journal of Mental Health, 33(3), 6-10.

Prevalence of epilepsy and health-Related quality of life and disability among adults with epilepsy-South Carolina 2003 and 2004. (2005). MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 54(42), 1080-1081.

Seppa, N. (2005). Epilepsy surgery stands test of time. Science News, 168(2), 30.