PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT TO EPILEPSY AMONG NIGERIANS

Introduction

Research into epilepsy tends to be largely focused on neurobiological issues, but over the years a body of empirical research findings has developed that indicates that seizure di 'orders are often associated with a variety of psychological and social difficulties. Social anti psychological effect or epilepsy is basically disabling and could be more handicapping than the seizures themselves. Two models in research literature have been propounded to explain the increased psychosocial problems in individuals with epilepsy. The first assumes that non-medica' problems an; almost inevitable and that their severity co-varied directly with the severity of the medical condition. The second asserts that disabling effects are mediated by other individual and social characteristics especially by a person's, perception ofhimse1f or herself and his or her condition, Where research has been done, most have utilized the first model exclusively. The second more recently developed model suggests a more fruitful line of investigation from the point of view of a more complete understanding of the experience of epilepsy.