People with epilepsy are often perceived as violent.

This study explores the possibility that people with epilepsy are commonly and persistently perceived as potentially violent during and between seizures. In 1981 and again in 2006, we assessed responses to a questionnaire that includes vignettes and direct questions about violence in epilepsy. Groups sampled were medical and law students, physicians, child care workers, the general public, and people with epilepsy (n=271 in 1981 and n=388 in 2006). Nearly half of the respondents believed that violence was possible or likely during a seizure. Almost all groups answered at least 40% of questions incorrectly; the exception was physicians, who answered 20% incorrectly. Responses were fairly stable over the 25-year interval. Logistic regression revealed few predictors: older responders and physicians had more correct answers, whereas law students had poorer performance. These results indicate that fear of violence at the hands of people with epilepsy is prevalent and may contribute to stigma.