One of the hardest things for PWEs to explain to family and friends is why they often avoid ceremonies — weddings, cultural gatherings, or large public meetings. Unlike partying, these aren’t wild nights out; they are often respectable, once-in-a-lifetime events. So why do PWEs avoid them?
The answer is simple: fear. The greatest fear for someone with epilepsy is having a seizure in public. This fear is not just about the medical emergency — it is about stigma, embarrassment, and the desire to keep epilepsy private. Many PWEs will skip important functions to preserve dignity, protect relationships, and avoid the crushing anxiety of “what if it happens here?”
At Seizure Support, we emphasize that this is a valid and healthy form of self-preservation. The EMG explores emotional triggers, stress, and the anxiety of public exposure, showing how fear itself can become a trigger. Attending a ceremony while anxious about a seizure can actually become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
If you are not yet seizure-free, it is okay to decline invitations politely. And if you must attend, there are protective strategies — like bringing a companion, identifying a quiet space, or leaving early — which are explained in the EMG.
This issue is discussed in detail in the Epilepsy Management Guide, which you can download for free. To participate in the discussion on this topic, visit the Global Epilepsy Forum. To know more about what we do, please click HERE. We also have a donation page where those who feel compelled can give whatever they can afford by clicking HERE.
