The Perceived Social Stigma of People with Epilepsy with regard to the Question of Employability

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the perceived social stigma of people with epilepsy with regard to the question of employability. Methods A structured questionnaire was given to two groups of people with chronic diseases: those with epilepsy (study group) and those with heart disease (control group). The questions concerned employability. Results Having epilepsy was more strongly associated with higher unemployment rates (p < 0.0001); job layoffs (p = 0.001); being unfit to work (p < 0.0001); feeling shame for having the disease (p = 0.014); absence of partners (p = 0.026); and depression (p = 0.004). The tendency to hide their disease from their employers was similar for the two groups. Conclusion The age discrepancy between groups was an important limiting factor of this study. However, despite the limited number of participants and the age difference between the groups, there is no impediment in stating that people with epilepsy show high rates of unemployment, depression, and stigma.

Screening of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Patients with Epilepsy: Using a Valid and Reliable Indonesian Version of Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

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Impact of COVID-19 on the lives and psychosocial well-being of persons with epilepsy during the third trimester of the pandemic: Results from an international, online survey

“…In order to control the COVID-19 outbreak, governments have taken several restrictive measures, ranging from social distancing to a complete lockdown, causing an enormous impact on healthcare as well as socioeconomic activities and psychosocial well-being. Knowing that PWE are vulnerable persons with higher risks of unemployment, psychological distress, and social stigma, the impact of the pandemic could entail devastating consequences for PWE worldwide [5] , [6] .…”

Access to healthcare and prevalence of anxiety and depression in persons with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicountry online survey

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