Changing the Name to Combat Epilepsy Stigma

We have come a long way in understanding and treating epilepsy. However, there is still a terrible stigma surrounding it, in some countries more than others. The word epilepsy comes from the Greek word meaning to seize. It was considered a “sacred disease,” one with a lot of mystery and was related to religion and spirituality and witchcraft. Although we now know all this to be false, the stigma of epilepsy unfortunately endures.