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Centuries ago people didn’t have an explanation to the cause of seizures and why would people fall to the ground, start shaking, possibly cry out may act confused after that, and that’s led to the conclusion that it must be a demon! Unfortunately, even though we now know the cause of epilepsy some people in many countries still believe that is a demon and never seek medical attention. As part of the medical team I believe we can play an important role in educating those people.
This art here is described as “Saint Severin of Noricum drives out the 'falling sickness demon' from a young woman.”
Interesting
It is interesting how in different time periods people would interpret epilepsy seizures and use their own remedies to expel "demons"
Thank god science has evolved and hopefully some time in the future a cure can be found for this tough disease.
Sim Taleb.
I find it interesting that even today some people still think that epilepsy is caused by demons. I read an article that stated that health education may dispel myths and lead to improved quality of life for patients. However, I don't often see public ad campaigns educating the public about epilepsy. Have you seen efforts to educate the public?- Laura Penca
Reference: Jilek-Aall L. Morbus Sacer in Africa: Some Religious Aspects of Epilepsy in Traditional Cultures Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Epilepsia; 40 (3) 382-386.
Throughout my school years in Egypt, unfortunatelyI have never seen a public campaign about Epilepsy. However, there used to be campaigns about other disease conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. I believe in the US it is not that often too but I have never seen one either. I have seen more related to heart conditions, cancer, hypertension and diabetes too. - Omniah
It is also very interesting that while I was reading more about how people thought that epilepsy is caused by demons. I found out that throughout history it was also linked to divine and supernatural and found this quote by Hippocrates "Men think epilepsy divine, merely because they do not understand it. We will one day understand what causes it, and then cease to call it divine. And so it is with everything in the universe."- Omniah
I find it very inspiring to see through history, very pleased to witness how science evolved in diagnosing and treating Epilepsy! Ahmed Youssef
I believe people of that generation thought was divine, merely because they did not understand it . I am glad that in this age there has been various clinical research on epilepsy which has helped us better understand the condition and how to treat it .
Francis Asielue
I find it very interesting that the picture depicts a Saint trying to drive out the devil in the female as if she is possessed. It is fascinating to see how mid evil times
tried to cure patients with epilepsy. In the future. I will remember the stigma that can go with having epilepsy. Also, how we treat it today is based on research and development of AEDs. Cindy Maciak
It is sad that even today with all the advances in medicine people still attribute epilepsy to demons. Education plays an important role and pharmacists as medical professionals we have major role. Sajimon George
I think the modern day equivalence of attributing epilepsy to demons is the inability of society and unfortunately, some health care professionals, to differentiate between manifestations of seizures and psychiatric illnesses. Differential diagnosis is critical to successful management and outcomes.
Lisa Chang
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