Experiences in Concealing Epilepsy in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, being epileptic remains a stigmatic condition. This study describes how people with epilepsy perceive how others see and deal with them, and the relationship between those perceptions and their epilepsy concealing behavior.

Data was derived from semi-structured interviews which were conducted with 21 epileptic subjects. These subjects were selected by Theoretical sampling from outpatients of hospitals, a self-help group. The data was analyzed through qualitative methodology.

The primary reason for epileptics concealment of their illness extracted from this study is a self-defensive protection from the discriminating or overprotective responses of others. Furthermore the physical aspects (e.g. seizure, taking medicine) and the social problems resulting from the epileptics conditions (e.g. losing a job) create a tension in the epileptic. Whether or not this tension is eased depends largely upon the reactions of others to the physical aspects and the social problems.