Page 92 - JCBP-3-3

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Impact of seizures on life

In our study, patients with DS reported isolation, confounders, it also limits the transferability of the results
while patients with DRE experienced it less frequently. No to male patients. Future studies should explore gender
studies have directly compared social isolation between differences in the lived experiences of DS and DRE.
these groups, as this topic was explored individually. Kerr Efforts were made to reduce bias by independently
et al. noted that ES patients often experience loneliness, categorizing data followed by group discussions. However,
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social isolation, and difficulty maintaining friendships. future studies could incorporate member checking
On the other hand, social isolation in people with DS has to enhance credibility. Finally, many existing ES
56
also been studied. Unlike they had anticipated, Vaidya- studies involve participants without DRE, complicating
Mathur et al. found that patients with DS tended to comparisons of their findings with our results. Future
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be socially connected, most of them maintaining daily research could also include perspectives from family
communication with relatives. Pretorius and Sparrow members, caregivers, and other sources to deepen our
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also found that family, friends, and significant others understanding of the impact on life.
functioned as a source of support. Although people with
DS perceive others as sources of support, they also report 5. Conclusion
feelings of isolation and loss of social life. These mixed
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findings highlight the need for further research, especially This study aimed to analyze the impact of seizures on
considering evidence linking social isolation to poorer patients with DRE and DS in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
physical and mental health in the general population. 54 Through semi-structured interviews, three main themes
emerged: emotional impact, social interaction, and daily
Seizures impact not only interpersonal and emotional activities. Both groups reported emotional difficulties,
aspects but also the daily activities of both patient groups. often unpleasant, which stem from or can trigger seizures.
Similar to our findings, Kerr et al. reported that ES patients Social interaction was notably affected, with both groups
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experience limitations in autonomy, independence, and reporting having received support but experienced distinct
engaging in enjoyable or academic activities. Studies on challenges: interpersonal conflicts were more frequent in
DS patients 18,24 also highlight losses in independence, DS, while overprotection and hesitancy to disclose their
freedom, physical activities, and challenges in securing condition were prevalent in DRE. Isolation was also more
and maintaining employment. However, our study is common among DS patients.
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distinctive in that it focuses specifically on individuals Seizures disrupted daily life in both groups, though the
from Argentina’s low-income sectors, a demographic specific areas impacted varied. These findings underscore the
often underrepresented in research. This may represent need for tailored mental health interventions to address the
additional barriers to autonomy and employment, unique challenges faced by each group. Treatment programs
particularly due to the social and economic constraints for these patient groups could benefit from incorporating
faced by these individuals. In our sample, four out of five modules on emotional regulation, assertive communication,
DS patients continued working despite seizures, though conflict management, behavioral activation, and fostering
only one held formal employment, reflecting the difficulty independence. Given the emotional impact of the disease,
in accessing and retaining formal jobs. strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness,
While this study offers novel insights, it has several or acceptance and commitment therapy could help patients
limitations. The non-probabilistic, intentional, and paired manage stress and other emotions. Addressing interpersonal
sampling, along with the small sample size, limits the difficulties through psychoeducational programs for family
generalizability of the findings. Furthermore, participants members and healthcare professionals may also reduce
were selected based on their access to a reference center with stigma and improve social support. In addition, promoting
VEEG, further restricting the applicability of the results to autonomy by facilitating the continuation of studies,
those without such access. In addition, interviews were recreational activities, and workplace accommodations
conducted in different settings: patients with DRE were could enhance patients’ quality of life.
interviewed in the VEEG unit, while those with DS were
interviewed in hospital offices. The hospitalization context Acknowledgments
of the VEEG unit may have influenced the openness of None.
DRE patients to discuss certain topics.
Moreover, only women were included in the study as Funding
a result of paired sampling. While this approach ensured This research was supported by UBACyT
comparability between groups and enhanced the credibility 20020170100274BA (Universidad de Buenos Aires,
of the findings by reducing potential sociodemographic Argentina).

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 86 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8112