Page 90 - JCBP-3-3

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Impact of seizures on life

Table 5. Impact on social interaction in DRE patients
Theme Subtheme Sub‑subtheme Quote
Impact on social Support Friends (3) P: I’ve always felt support, even at school. My friends have always supported me in this.
interaction in DRE Family (4) I: What people do you think helped you in this period of your life?
P: Err... And mainly mom, my dad, my sisters.
Teachers (2) P: So I spoke with the professor and the adjunct professor and she told me that if I asked
my neurologist for a certificate stating that I had to be calm to be able to study, I could
sit for the exam on another date.
Partner (2) P: I do feel supported. For example, with my boyfriend, who was here yesterday.
Interpersonal conflict Teasing (1) P: Then my schoolmates did tease me a little. But I didn’t care so much.
I: And how did they tease you?
P: Yes... sometimes they told me things that they didn’t. that they didn’t know.
I: They yelled at you, they made fun of you…
P: Kids are cruel.
Exclusion (1) P: I used to go near my house, some blocks away, two blocks away, there was a gym. I
would to go and do aerobics. And one day, it seems to me, I fell and me like “what for.”
The girl, she, they also asked for. well, that “it’s not that I don’t have problems, better if
you don’t hit yourself here.” “No problem,” I tell her, “I understand you.”
Disbelief (2) P: I think that’s why she thought I was manipulating her. When I had a strong argument
with my mom, it was when I had a lot of seizures. And maybe she... I think, that she
associates it with the fact that I wanted to manipulate her. But no. It was actually
because, well, the argument affected me quite a bit, it got on my nerves or something.
Overprotection (5) P: They wouldn’t let me go to a park, they wouldn’t let me, I don’t know, go on a carousel
for more than three laps. For fear of having a seizure... He wouldn’t let me, I don’t know,
get on the trampoline because he was afraid I was going to hit my head. Or play in a
round.
Disclosure (4) P: So, maybe, I was very embarrassed to say that I had epilepsy until I was 24 years
old. At school, a friend or a boyfriend. For the simple fact of saying “I have epilepsy”
and they treat me, I don’t know, better. Or there are people who don’t know, who are
ignorant, they don’t know when the person falls on their side, errr... I don’t know, that
one is comfortable, don’t get in the way, that one doesn’t hit with something hard. Then
out of ignorance they scare you and leave you aside.
Note: I: Interviewer. P: Patient. The numbers in brackets indicate the frequency with which each subtheme appears.
Abbreviation: DRE: Drug-resistant epilepsy.

Table 6. Impact on daily life in DS patients
Theme Subtheme Sub‑subtheme Quote
Impact on Loss of activities Study (1) I: Well, your social life was affected by these blackouts...?
daily life in P: Yes, because... I didn’t go to school anymore.
DS Physical activity (1) P: I stopped doing gymnastics, for example. I wanted to ask if I could start because
that’s very good for me going to the gym, errr, spinning, aerobic boxing.
Driving (1) P: “I want to drive,” at that moment I was picky with driving.
Recreational activities (2) P: I stopped... wishing things or, or feeling the same about things. There was
something that I liked, going to the riverbank, having some mates...
Autonomy (2) P: Sometimes I can’t go out alone, I can’t, I have to be with someone or something.
Continuity of activities Work (4) P: Let’s say, in 2 h, can a person clean eight, nine classrooms? (...) In 2 h, I do it,
doctor. But I do it because I can’t lose my job.
Note: I: Interviewer. P: Patient. The numbers in brackets indicate the frequency with which each subtheme appears.
Abbreviation: DS: Dissociative seizure.

many individuals with DRE were hesitant to disclose Previous research found higher levels of stigma
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their condition, consistent with previous studies in in DS patients compared to DRE patients, despite that
adults. 19,43 both groups reported high levels overall. Notably, stigma

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 84 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8112