Patient perspectives on epilepsy: a prospective study of 100 patients in Brazil

ABSTRACT

On hundred chronic epileptics (58 female, mean age 28,1+ or - 9,4 years) with normal physical and neurological examination were submitted to a questionnaire to evaluate their own perspective about epilepsy. In a general way they have a correct notion about epilepsy, but a pessimistic view on themselves. Strong discriminatory attitudes of the society toward the epileptic patient seemns to play a major role. Most of the epileptics would like to know much more about tneir disease, would like to take part of an association for epileptics, even supporting it financially. Although the psychosocial implications of epilepsy have been well documented and studied (3, 4), little attention has beenpaid to the patient personal view of his condition of epileptic. The present work reports the result of a questionnaire study of patient perspectives of epilepsy in South Brazil