Epilepsy familiarity, knowledge, and perceptions of stigma: report from a survey of adolescents in the general population.

The Epilepsy Foundation surveyed general population adolescents concerning epilepsy. From March to July 2001, a 37-item questionnaire was distributed by 20 Epilepsy Foundation affiliates to high school students. The final sample was 19,441. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Only about half (52%) remembered hearing about epilepsy. Most (67%) were not sure what to do if someone had a seizure. About three-fourths believed that youth with epilepsy were or might be more likely to get bullied or picked on than others. Less than a third (31%) would date a person with epilepsy. Results indicate that the social environment for adolescents with epilepsy is characterized by stigma and lack of familiarity and knowledge about epilepsy. Findings strongly support the need for public education for general population adolescents to increase knowledge and awareness to decrease the stigma associated with epilepsy.