stigma that goes with having seizures

[Blackheartednurse]

Did you guys noticed the stigma and discrimination that goes with someone suffering from seizures, I heard people actually not able to land a job for their whole lifetime because they have this condition or get fired (bosses can work around the discrimination issue). When I worked at a flu shot clinic I met a lady who wanted to write a book about her experience having seizures (nobody ever wanted to hire her).

I personally feel so ashamed, one time I went to see my patient and one of her family member had a small seizure (daughter) right there at front of me, she didnt faint or anything like that basically her eyes rolled and I assumed that she was on drugs or something or maybe she was stealing my patient's pain killers (tramadol). So I just didnt react, kept quiet didnt tell her what I saw. Fastforward few weeks and it turned out she had another seizure at front of her husband and they went to ER and the MD diagnosed her with seizure. I then told her that I saw her rolling her eyes couple weeks ago. I feel so ashamed!

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

I probably would have asked if she was okay regardless if I had thought she was on drugs or not. Just an FYI tramadol is not a heavy narcotic unless you were to take way too many. Either way I would have made sure she was okay. Even though it wasn't technically your client, you are still a trained healthcare professional and should be prepared to react in an emergency situation.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I agree that people with seizures - as well as other poorly understood health conditions - may be unfairly discriminated against. I have a dear friend with psoriasis --and she has some real horror stories about problems with hair dressers & apparel stores!

There are many different types of seizures, from the very visible grand mal to petit mal, and 'absence' type seizures that may not even be apparent to others... but they all involve loss of conscious awareness. So some of the issues surrounding seizures are due to the risks involved. For instance, restrictions on driving or operating equipment are based on the fact that 'mere moments' of lapse of conscious awareness & control could have devastating consequences. Although it may not be fair, employers are naturally leery of any potential employee who could be injured on the job as a result of a seizure... especially if they are having trouble paying for health insurance benefits for 'healthy' employees.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

I work with two nurses that have a seizure condition. They are both controlled on meds.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I thought that sort of discrimination was long gone and that most people were better informed about seizure disorders. I certainly haven't seen any health care professionals discriminating against people with this disorder.