Fall, spasms, rolled eyes, and even "swallowed" tongue. Misconceptions about what an epilepsy attack looks like are tough on the skin. But what is less known is the consequences of this neurological disease on the daily lives of patients. A subject addressed by Professor Sophie Dupont, neurologist at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, and president of the French League against epilepsy, guest Friday of the program "Sans Rendez-vous" on Europe 1.
"The suicide rate among people with epilepsy is higher than the average." In fact, according to an American study, the risk of suicide in people with epilepsy is 22% higher than in "healthy" people. A figure which is explained in particular by a very frequent stigmatization of epileptics throughout their life, due to the unpredictability of the disease and the frequency of occurrence of seizures.
Difficult schooling
People suffering from this disease are thus sidelined from an early age, specifies Sophie Dupont. "Schooling is difficult for children with epilepsy, and there is less access to higher education".
A situation that Delphine Dannecker knows only too well. At the microphone of Europe 1, the president of the Epilepsy-France association tells how her epileptic daughter was gradually put away from her comrades. "Dana had a seizure in kindergarten and it rocked the staff and the class," she says, admitting to hiding her daughter's illness to keep her from being marginalized. "She was then removed from a lot of activities because she could not be followed constantly outside the classroom."
>> Find the whole of Sans rendez-vous in replay and podcast here
More affected by unemployment
At school, then at work ... Yes, because people with epilepsy are also more affected by unemployment. Due to many contraindicated professions, their access to employment is much more difficult than for others. This is particularly the case of professions "with sleep debts and irregular hours", specifies Professor Sophie Dupont, taking for example the professions of the army, and positions of high responsibility, like the profession of pilot.
Consequence: because of the negative image that people have of this disease, "the patients do not dare to say that they are epileptic at a job interview", deplores the neurologist. If the mention of this disease is not compulsory, Sophie Dupont advises to warn occupational medicine, "to verify that the position does not present a danger for the patient or his colleagues".
"It's not about having a monastic life"
The danger of the job exists when it harms the patient's healthy lifestyle, which is one of the main treatments for epilepsy. Indeed, Sophie Dupont recalls that "sleep gaps are going to be the most providers of crises". Sleep should therefore be regular, and the patient should be careful not to drink too much alcohol or coffee.
"It is not a question of having a monastic lifestyle, but of having a pleasant life while being careful", reassures the neurologist, while affirming that in 70% of cases, an epileptic patient under treatment can have normal life expectancy. "