THE IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON SELF-PERCEPTIONS

This study assessed the impact of epilepsy on self-perceptions and fac tors associated with variations in this impact. In a previous study by the author in Britain, a measure of the impact of epilepsy on self-pe rceptions was shown to be the most powerful predictor of psychosocial well-being. The present study represents a development of the earlier study using a larger multinational sample and has a particular focus o n this apparently important variable. A sample of 948 adults with epil epsy drawn from various regions of Britain, the United States, and New Zealand was investigated. Although the sample was composed mainly of support group members, there was much variation within it in terms of a range of epilepsy-related and background characteristics. In the res earch questionnaire, impact of epilepsy on self-perceptions was assess ed through the discrepancy between 20 ratings of current self-percepti ons and 20 corresponding ratings for anticipated self without epilepsy . Initial findings showed that overall people do anticipate that their self-perceptions would be more positive if they did not have epilepsy . When factors associated with variations in impact of epilepsy were s tudied, a high impact was noted to be associated with the following: l owered psychosocial well-being, high seizure frequency, poor seizure c ontrol, a perceived uncertainty over diagnosis, having experienced sei zures for some time, and polytherapy rather than monotherapy. The find ings are discussed, and the relationships between efficacy of medical treatment, self-perceptions, and vulnerability to stigmatizing agents and misinformation are highlighted.