Myths & Facts

What have you heard about epilepsy? People believe some pretty outrageous things. Lots of myths about epilepsy have circulated for years; don’t believe everything you hear. It’s kind of amazing what people think about epilepsy. Take a quick look at this video, and you’ll know the truth – as well as why knowing about epilepsy is important, for you and your friends. (Here’s a hint: Never, ever put a spoon — or anything else — into the mouth of someone who is having a seizure!)

Fast Facts

Fact: One in 100 teenagers has it.

Fact: One in ten people will have a seizure in their lifetime.

Fact: It is a disorder of the brain that sometimes makes people have seizures.

Fact: It is more common than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined.

Fact: It is not contagious.

Fact: It can be caused by anything that injures the brain. In most cases, the cause is unknown.

Fact: Seizures happen when there’s a brief glitch in the brain’s electrical activity.

Fact: There are different kinds of seizures. Some are convulsions. Others make people stare into space or act confused.

Fact: Most seizures are over in seconds or a couple of minutes

Fact: Teens with epilepsy often take daily medication to prevent seizures. Some use other kinds of treatment.

Fact: Some teens with epilepsy have lots of seizures. Some have very few, or none at all.

Common Myths about Epilepsy

MYTH: Epilepsy is contagious
TRUTH: You can’t catch epilepsy any more than you can catch blue eyes or brown hair.

MYTH: If someone with epilepsy sees flashing lights, he or she will have a seizure.
TRUTH: A very small percentage of people with epilepsy have seizures triggered by flashing. This is called photosensitivity. Most people with epilepsy can be around strobe lights, play video games and see flashing lights without a problem.

MYTH: A person having a seizure is going to swallow his or her tongue.
TRUTH: Impossible. Your tongue is attached to the bottom of your mouth. It’s not going anywhere.

MYTH: You must put something in someone’s mouth to hold their tongue down when they have a seizure.
TRUTH: Never put anything in the mouth of someone who is having a seizure.

MYTH: Epilepsy is a mental illness or a psychological problem.
TRUTH: Epilepsy is a medical condition, not a mental condition.

MYTH: People with epilepsy are mentally challenged and need to go to special schools.
TRUTH: Some of the smartest and most creative people in history are thought to have had epilepsy including Thomas Edison, Julius Caesar, Vincent Van Gogh, Socrates and Leonardo DaVinci. Most people with epilepsy have normal IQs, attend regular schools and live normal, full lives.

MYTH: A person is likely to die from having a seizure.
TRUTH: People rarely die from having a seizure. But they can get hurt from falling or if someone tries to put something in their mouth.

MYTH: You can stop a seizure by holding someone down.
TRUTH: Never hold someone down while they’re having a seizure. This is very dangerous and can injure both of you.

MYTH: All seizures involve falling on the ground and shaking (convulsions).
TRUTH: Most people who have epilepsy don’t have seizures with convulsions. In fact, there are many kinds of seizures. Some last only a few seconds, while others cause a person to be confused and disoriented for a minute or two.