Concealing SeizuresA study published early January in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) states that 1/6 of people in the United Kingdom who experienced seizures in the past year did not reveal details to their general practitioner. Dr. Jamie Dalrymple (University of East Anglia) and Dr. John Appleby (King's Fund, London) suggest that people may be reluctant to report seizures because epilepsy affects their eligibility for a driver's licence and access to various employment and leisure activities.
Dalrymple and Appleby analysed responses to an anonymous questionnaire from 111 people with epilepsy. While 42 had previously told their family doctor that they had experienced a seizure within the last 12 months, 60 admitted having a recent seizure. Of these, 40% hold a driver's licence, but only 25% told their doctor.
The authors conclude that some persons with epilepsy clearly perceive that the benefits of concealing seizures outweigh the risks. They advise physicians to put more effort into explaining that such concealment "may lead to inadequate treatment."
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