Epilepsy patients' conceptions of epilepsy as a phenomenon.
This study addressed epilepsy patients' conceptions of epilepsy as a phenomenon and emotions related to those conceptions. Nineteen outpatients were interviewed, and data were analyzed according to the phenomenographical methodology. Patients described epilepsy in six qualitatively different ways: Epilepsy is (a) an illness related to physical disturbances, (b) a condition related to physical disturbances, (c) a mental disturbance related to lack of mental capacity, (d) a handicap related to psychological and/or social aspects, (e) an identity related to being an epileptic, and (f) a punishment. The emotions confidence, happiness, hope, and annoyance were related to epilepsy as an illness or a condition, whereas shame, fear, sorrow, and guilt were related to the other four categories. This study indicated that, to patients, the phenomenon of epilepsy is above all a psychosocial nature and in that dimension closely related to negative emotions.
Räty
Lena K A
LK
Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, Department of Nursing, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden. lena.raty@kau.se
Larsson
Gerry
G
Starrin
Bengt
B
Larsson
Bodil M Wilde
BM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004644:Emotions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012649:Self Concept; D012752:Shame; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult