Epilepsy and Psychosis: A Comparison of Societal Attitudes

Abstract

Pioneer investigators in Nigeria have presented a gloomy picture of epilepsy as a highly infectious and disastrous disease in the eyes of the public. As a result, epileptic persons suffer untold social deprivations and discrimination in education, employment, housing, marital life, etc. These assertions have been repeated over the years more as a result of incidental observations while reviewing hospital cases than as products of attitude research on the subject. We assumed, therefore, that these statements should be considered as impressive hypotheses needing to be tested. By employing the Osgood semantic differential and the behavioral differential of Triandis, we assessed the attitude of the normal literate general public toward persons with epilepsy and "cured" psychotic patients and how closely the public would associate or socialize with these people. We also inquired into the public's opinion about the causes of epilepsy and psychosis, since this knowledge is necessary for attitude formation and change. On the whole, the general attitude toward epileptic patients is negative, and toward "cured" psychotic patients, positive. There are sex differences, in that males perceive epileptic patients more favorably than females do. However, both males and females would discriminate against both the epileptic and "cured" psychotic person in terms of employment, residential accommodation, friendship, and marital relations. The major perceived causes of epilepsy reported were heredity, witchcraft, and brain damage, in that order, not infection. About 25% admitted ignorance of the cause of epilepsy, as against 1% for psychosis. The psychoses were reportedly caused mainly by Indian hemp smoking, drug abuse, brain damage, and witchcraft, in that order.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Current beliefs and attitudes regarding epilepsy in Mali

“…We interviewed two groups of parents, those who had a child with epilepsy and those with unaffected children. Past studies had demonstrated that interviewing only patients with epilepsy could lead to biased results in the sociocultural context of Africa [22]. Sampling a more diverse population gave us a broader view of parental beliefs and attitudes regarding epilepsy.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice of epilepsy among community residents in Enugu, South East Nigeria

“…29 The endorsement of pluralism in this situation may probably reflect an affirmation of misconceptions about the causes of epilepsy and has within it a negative helpseeking implication which may result in delayed presentation for care, development of complications from the disorder, and prolonged disability and unmitigated suffering. 11,30 All these have the potential of further worsening the epilepsy treatment gap and the stigma for affected persons and their families. 31 It is however, the responsibility of concerned clinicians to educate the patients, their caregivers and the general public on the appropriate first response in the treatment of epilepsy.…”

Epilepsy In Nigeria – A Review Of Etiology, Epidemiology And Management

“…For instance, in Madagascar, patients with epilepsy are refused burial in the family grave 2 . In many African countries, the PWE is an out-cast 6 as Africans believe that the disease results from visitation of the devil, effect of witch-craft, the revenge of an aggrieved ancestral spirit or consumption of something harmful in utero 7,8 . Suicide or attempted suicide is not uncommon among Nigerians who suffer from epilepsy 9,10 .…”