Overcoming Epilepsy Stigma and Ensuring Correct Diagnosis

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• Online Epilepsy Education and Patient Empowerment
• Seeking Expert Second Opinions for Epilepsy
• The Critical Need for Early Epilepsy Diagnosis
• Epilepsy Discrimination and Social Stigma
• The Global Challenge of Epilepsy Awareness
• Full Transcript

Online Epilepsy Education and Patient Empowerment

Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD, highlights the transformative power of the internet for patient education. She notes that patients increasingly use online resources to learn about epileptic seizures and epilepsy. This access to information allows individuals to better understand their own signs and symptoms. Dr. Milligan believes this knowledge is a crucial first step toward seeking appropriate medical care.

Seeking Expert Second Opinions for Epilepsy

Modern telemedicine services provide new avenues for expert consultation. Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD, points to services where patients can submit their medical records for review by a specialist. This process helps ensure a correct diagnosis of epilepsy is reached. Dr. Anton Titov, MD, facilitates these important conversations to connect patients with top specialists.

The Critical Need for Early Epilepsy Diagnosis

An accurate and timely diagnosis is paramount for effective epilepsy treatment. Dr. Milligan stresses that patients who recognize symptoms can bring them to their doctor sooner. Early intervention can prevent the occurrence of more severe epileptic seizures. This proactive approach significantly improves long-term health outcomes for patients.

Epilepsy Discrimination and Social Stigma

Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD, identifies discrimination as the single biggest problem facing epilepsy patients. This stigma often stems from a fundamental ignorance about the condition. She is adamant in clarifying that epilepsy is not contagious. Furthermore, with proper treatment, individuals with epilepsy can lead completely normal and productive lives.

The Global Challenge of Epilepsy Awareness

The lack of knowledge about epilepsy is a pervasive international issue. Dr. Milligan suggests that awareness may be even lower in many countries outside the United States. This global education gap directly contributes to widespread discrimination against those with epileptic seizures. Combating this ignorance is essential for improving the lives of millions affected by epilepsy worldwide.

Full Transcript

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: Is there anything else you would like to add to the conversation about epilepsy? Maybe a topic of your interest in epilepsy that you would like to expand upon?

Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD: I think that this is wonderful to really be able to use the Internet to educate patients about epileptic seizures and epilepsy. More and more these days patients have access to the internet to find out educational information. They can use it to seek expert opinion.

Here we have a service where patients can send in information and an expert can review their records. I think we're not alone in that. There are many other ways that patients will be able to seek out medical care in different formats.

It is very important that patients are aware of the various signs and symptoms of epilepsy. They can bring those signs and symptoms to their doctor. They can hopefully be diagnosed correctly earlier.

Correct diagnosis of epilepsy is important before patients have more severe epileptic seizures. The last thing I want to emphasize about epilepsy is this. The biggest problem the patients with epilepsy face is discrimination.

Epilepsy is not contagious. People with epilepsy can live completely normal lives. Epilepsy can be very treatable.

I think it is important for all people to be aware of epilepsy. They should know what it is exactly. Because there's a tremendous amount of ignorance about epilepsy.

Lack of knowledge can lead to a lot of discrimination. That is a very important point. It is especially important internationally.

The awareness of epilepsy might even be lower internationally than it is in the United States.

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: Dr. Milligan, thank you very much for this conversation. We hope we'll be able to come back to you for further questions in the future!

Thank you for being a superb expert in treating epilepsy in adults and adolescents!

Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about epilepsy!