title: Persons with Epilepsy: Between Social Inclusion and Marginalisation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that can lead to complex psychosocial consequences. Epilepsy can change the social status of persons with epilepsy (PWE) and has an effect on their social inclusion as well as their perception of social inclusion. This study aims to explore subjective experiences with social inclusion of PWE in Slovenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study takes a qualitative approach. Eleven semistructured interviews were conducted with eleven participants. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epilepsy has physical, emotional, and social consequences. Physical consequences of epilepsy are mainly tiredness and exhaustion following an epileptic episode, frequently accompanied by headaches. Emotional consequences are different forms of fear. The main social consequence identified is a negative effect on PWE's social network, which leads to (self-)isolation and social distrust.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PWE experience of social inclusion depends on various psychosocial factors and differs from person to person. The consequences of epilepsy are shown in PWE social contacts and their sense of social inclusion and autonomy.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1104 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mlinar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Poljanski Nasip 58, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Davorina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petek
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, School of Public Health, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Global eHealth Unit, Reynolds Building, St. Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP, UK.
authors.forename: Živa
authors.initials: Ž
authors.lastname: Cotič
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva Ploščad 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Metka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mencin Čeplak
authors.affiliation: Department for Vascular Neurology, University Clinical Centre of Ljubljana, Zaloška Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaletel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004644:Emotions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011788:Quality of Life; D017524:Slovenia; D062487:Social Marginalization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires