Media
Facts and figures
Public ignorance and misconceptions about epilepsy have led to fear and prejudice.
A useful guide of facts and figures
- Epilepsy is defined as having repeated seizures - not just one.
- Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition in the world.
- 1 person in 130 has epilepsy; that's 40,000 people in Scotland.
- People develop epilepsy at all ages. It often occurs in later life and childhood.
- There are over twenty types of epilepsy and many different kinds of seizures.
- Some seizures end in seconds while others may last for several minutes.
- Epilepsy is frequently misdiagnosed - by as much as 30 per cent.
- There is a national shortage of epilepsy consultants and specialist nurses.
- Up to 70 per cent of people can achieve seizure control with medication.
- Almost 100 people died as a result of epilepsy in Scotland last year - that's 5 times as many as from cot deaths.
- 50 per cent of children with epilepsy under-perform at school. Unemployment rates are doubled for people with epilepsy compared to those without disability.
