Approach to epilepsy stigma: From reducing stigma to enhancing dignity
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2023
Abstract
Psychosocial burden of epilepsy is crucial in the care of epilepsy. Traditionally the effort to overcome the psychosocial burden of people with epilepsy has been by reducing social stigma but less on selfperceived stigma. Self-perceived stigma is an aspect of self-esteem and dignity. Maslow has divided the self-esteem and dignity into the ``lower'' and ``higher'' version. The ``lower'' version is the respect from others. The ``higher'' version is from self-evaluation. Thus, the approach to reduce stigma works toward ``lower'' version of esteem. A comprehensive approach to increasing esteem and dignity should thus also include efforts toward the ``higher'' version, to improve self-evaluation. In fact, enhancing self-esteem by reducing stigma also exert its effect through self-evaluation. As self-evaluation is dependent on cultural values, dialogue with the traditional culture, to draw out the relevant elements in the culture is a neglected aspect of comprehensive epilepsy care.
Keywords
Epilepsy stigma, Self-esteem, Dignity, Culture
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
None
Publication Title
Neurology Asia
Volume
28
Issue
2
Publisher
ASEAN Neurological Association
Publisher Location
UNIV MALAYA MEDICAL CENTRE, NEUROLOGY LABORATORY, KUALA LUMPUR, 59100, MALAYSIA