National Epilepsy Day 2025: The Stigma Women Still Face And Why Men Aren’t Spared Either

Add as a preferred source on Google

Its National Epilepsy Day, which is observed on 17 November in India, was introduced by the Epilepsy Foundation of India to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and encourage early diagnosis and treatment. The day exists for a reason, epilepsy affects millions, yet the stigma remains so strong that many people still don't talk about it openly. And for women, the silence often runs deeper.

Photo Credit: Freepik

What Epilepsy Really Is

Epilepsy is a neurological condition where the brain's electrical signals misfire, causing recurring seizures. These seizures don't always look dramatic - some involve brief staring spells, confusion, or moments of unresponsiveness, while others include muscle jerks, unusual sensations, or sudden loss of awareness.

Photo Credit: Freepik

People may feel tired, disoriented, or have headaches after a seizure. The condition can develop due to head injuries, infections, genetic factors, or sometimes with no identifiable cause at all. With proper treatment and awareness of triggers like stress, sleep deprivation, or missed medication, many people manage it well. The real challenge often isn't the condition itself, but the misconceptions surrounding it.

Women Face A Very Different Kind Of Stigma

According to multiple studies in India, women with epilepsy experience higher stigma levels compared to men. Research among women in their reproductive years shows that stigma is strongly linked to lower quality of life, lower confidence, and emotional stress.
Many of these studies also point out that being married or wanting to get married adds another layer of pressure.

A study published in an Indian neurology journal found that over 40% of married women had concealed their epilepsy before marriage because they feared rejection or mistreatment. According to the same study, women who hid their condition often faced problems later - conflict with in-laws, lack of support, or emotional distancing once symptoms surfaced.

Research from rural South India also shows that families go to great lengths to hide a daughter's epilepsy because they worry about marriage prospects. Many women interviewed in these studies described the psychological toll of living with a condition people treat as something shameful rather than medical.

Myths Inside Families Make It Worse

According to ethnographic research, many families still believe outdated ideas that epilepsy is caused by past-life deeds, is a form of weakness, or makes a woman unfit for marriage or motherhood. Even today, some families discourage women from seeking treatment because they worry a medical record might "affect her future". These beliefs push women into silence. They avoid reporting symptoms, skip medication, or suffer alone, all because they don't want to be labelled.

The Emotional Load Women Carry

Studies from international and Indian journals show that women often feel the pressure to appear "normal" and "capable" at all times. Society expects them to be calm, strong, and responsible whether at home, at work, or in relationships. According to research on stigma and quality of life, women with epilepsy reported:

• Anxiety about seizures in public
• Fear of being judged or treated differently
• Stress about being seen as a burden
• Loss of confidence due to misconceptions

Some also shared experiences of being overprotected to the point of losing independence - decisions about careers, mobility, or marriage were taken "on their behalf".

But Men Aren't Immune Either

While women face more marriage-related judgement, men also deal with significant social pressure. According to sociological research on discrimination in epilepsy, men often hide their condition at work due to fear of losing opportunities.

Many men reported:

• Being denied jobs or promotions
• Being excluded from physically demanding roles
• Partners being hesitant about long-term commitment
• Being labelled as "unreliable"

Research also shows that men often face stigma in silence because of cultural expectations that they must be "strong" and unemotional.

The Reality: Stigma Affects Everyone Just Differently

Across studies in India, one thing is constant: stigma has a measurable impact on mental health and quality of life. It affects confidence, relationships, career choices, and social interactions. And it often discourages people from seeking the medical support that could genuinely help.

National Epilepsy Day exists because awareness still hasn't reached where it needs to be. The misconceptions surrounding epilepsy especially for women are old, deep-rooted, and emotionally exhausting. But research consistently shows that when families understand the condition, the emotional burden reduces drastically.

Photo Credit: Freepik

Epilepsy is a medical condition, not a personal failure. The stigma surrounding it is the real obstacle, one that affects women and men differently, but painfully. National Epilepsy Day 2025 highlights the fact that conversations are important. The more we talk about epilepsy openly, the easier it becomes for people to seek help, feel supported, and live without fear of judgement. Awareness doesn't just educate, it protects.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Epilepsy presents differently in each individual, and anyone experiencing symptoms or seeking guidance should consult a qualified healthcare professional. If you or someone around you experiences a seizure for the first time or a seizure lasting longer than usual, seek medical help immediately.