Exploring the Psychological Impacts of Epilepsy

I planned to explore the intersection of epilepsy and psychology. My goal was to connect with individuals who have epilepsy and who do not, and ask questions about their daily lives, as I was curious to know the differences and similarities of the lives. I got 8 people in each group, so 16 people total. To compare the lives as accurate as possible, I compared people of the same age.

The questions I asked:

• On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your current level of happiness?
• How often do you feel lonely?​
• How frequently do you experience symptoms of depression, such as lack of appetite or inability to sleep?​
• Have you had thoughts of self-harm during the past 30 days?

The results of those with epilepsy:

• 50% rated their happiness as 4.
• 37.5% rated their happiness as 3.
• 12.5% rated their happiness as 2.

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• 50% feel lonely "sometimes."
• 37.5% feel lonely more often.
• 12.5% don't feel lonely.

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• 50% experience depression symptoms frequently.
• 37.5% experience symptoms occasionally.
• 12.5% experience no symptoms.

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• 62.5% have not had thoughts of self-harm.
• 25% have had thoughts of self-harm.
• 12.5% no longer have these thoughts, but did at one point.

The results of those without epilepsy:

• 62.5% rate their happiness as 4.
• 25% rate their happiness as 5.
• 12.5% rate their happiness as 3.

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• 50% feel lonely "Not much" or "Not too often."
• 25% feel lonely "Never."

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• 62.5% experience no symptoms or have only mild symptoms.
• 25% experience symptoms occasionally or a little.
• 12.5% experience symptoms frequently or sometimes.

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• 100% have never had thoughts of self-harm.

So, what did I find from this? The data highlights significant differences in psychological experiences between individuals with and without epilepsy, providing insights into how epilepsy can affect mental health.

Happiness Levels: Those with epilepsy generally reported lower happiness levels compared to those without. While 50% of individuals with epilepsy rated their happiness as 4, a notable 37.5% rated it lower at 3. In contrast, 62.5% of individuals without epilepsy rated their happiness as 4, with a higher percentage also reporting a perfect happiness score of 5.

Loneliness: Feelings of loneliness were more common among individuals with epilepsy, with 50% reporting feeling lonely "sometimes" and 37.5% feeling lonely more often. By comparison, half of the participants without epilepsy rarely felt lonely, and 25% reported never feeling lonely. This suggests that epilepsy might contribute to social isolation.

Symptoms of Depression: Depression-related symptoms, such as lack of appetite or inability to sleep, were reported more frequently among those with epilepsy, with 50% experiencing these symptoms frequently. In contrast, 62.5% of those without epilepsy experienced no or only mild symptoms, indicating a notable disparity in mental health challenges.

Thoughts of Self-Harm: Among those with epilepsy, 25% admitted to having thoughts of self-harm in the past 30 days, and another 12.5% had experienced these thoughts at some point in their lives. In stark contrast, none of the participants without epilepsy reported any thoughts of self-harm. This highlights the increased mental health risks faced by individuals with epilepsy.

This whole analysis reveals that epilepsy has a substantial impact on various aspects of psychological well-being and social experiences. Individuals with epilepsy reported lower happiness levels, higher feelings of loneliness, and more frequent symptoms of depression compared to those without epilepsy. They also face unique challenges, such as an increased likelihood of having thoughts of self-harm, which were absent among those without epilepsy. In contrast, those without epilepsy reported higher levels of happiness and fewer mental health challenges overall. This stark difference highlights how epilepsy can shape not only an individual’s emotional health but also their sense of belonging.

I also made up a second survey, but these questions I just asked those with epilepsy. These questions are based on epilepsy and aren’t really psychological in a way, but I wanted to see how life was for others. There were 8 people with epilepsy, and these are the 4 questions:

• Do you feel that your epilepsy affects your mood, anxiety, or stress levels?​
• ​Do you find it challenging to talk to others about your epilepsy?​
• ​Are there any feelings of isolation or embarrassment associated with epilepsy?​
• Do you think that socially anything has happened due to your epilepsy, even in the past? Example, with your friends? Losing them, etc?​

The results:

• 100% feel that epilepsy affects their mood, anxiety, and stress levels.

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• 75% do not find it challenging to talk to others about their epilepsy.
• 25% find it challenging sometimes.

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• 50% feel some embarrassment or isolation by their epilepsy.
• 25% feel some isolation but no embarrassment.
• 25% feel no isolation or embarrassment.

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• 87.5% feel that socially something has happened due to their epilepsy (e.g., losing friends or being treated differently).
• 12.5% do not feel socially impacted by their epilepsy.

The results of this survey provide significant insights into how epilepsy affects various aspects of emotional and social well-being.

A striking 100% of participants reported that epilepsy impacts their mood, anxiety, and stress levels, indicating a universal effect among those surveyed. This finding highlights the profound emotional challenges associated with managing epilepsy.

Despite the emotional impact, 75% of participants do not find it challenging to talk to others about their condition, which may suggest growing comfort or acceptance within their social environments. However, the 25% who do find it challenging, even occasionally, reflect the lingering stigma or discomfort some individuals may face when discussing their epilepsy openly.

Feelings of isolation and embarrassment also emerged as significant themes, with 50% of participants acknowledging some level of embarrassment or isolation associated with their condition. While 25% reported no such feelings, another 25% experienced isolation without embarrassment. This mixed response underscores the complex ways epilepsy can influence self-perception and social interactions.

Socially, epilepsy appears to have had a noticeable impact on participants’ lives, with 87.5% reporting experiences such as losing friends, being treated differently, or feeling excluded. Only 12.5% of respondents felt unaffected socially, emphasizing how epilepsy can alter relationships and contribute to feelings of alienation.

Overall, the survey demonstrates that while some individuals with epilepsy are finding ways to navigate their condition socially, emotional and social challenges remain a common experience. These findings underscore the importance of reducing stigma, encouraging open conversations, and providing emotional support to help individuals with epilepsy feel more accepted and connected. This survey offers valuable insights into how epilepsy can affect not just physical health but also the social and emotional aspects of a person’s life.

In conclusion, this project allowed me to explore the deeper, often unspoken emotional and social challenges that come with living with epilepsy. By comparing the psychological experiences of individuals with and without epilepsy, and looking more into the personal and social impacts faced by those with the condition, I was able to identify real differences in mental health, emotional well-being, and social belonging. While many individuals with epilepsy are resilient and open about their experiences, the data clearly shows that they continue to face unique psychological struggles and social obstacles that others may not fully understand. This project wasn't just about numbers- it was about voices. The voices of people like me who live with epilepsy, and those who don’t, coming together to create a more empathetic, informed, and inclusive perspective on mental health. I hope that through this research, I was able to raise awareness about the mental health impacts of epilepsy and encourage others to continue these important conversations. My goal moving forward is to advocate for greater understanding, support, and compassion, because no one should feel isolated in their experiences.