The experience of epilepsy in later life: A qualitative exploration of illness representations.
Epilepsy Behav
; 70(Pt A): 87-93, 2017 05.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28411521
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to explore how older people living with epilepsy appraise their condition through their lived-experience. The common-sense model of illness representations (CSMIR) provides a framework to explain how individuals make sense of and manage health threats. Semi-structured in-depth interviews based on the CSMIR were conducted with ten people with epilepsy who were above the age of 65. The results were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three overarching themes emerged from the analysis:
'the power of epilepsy', 'they say you can live a normal life but you can't' and 'attempts to adjust and cope'. Epilepsy was described as a threatening, persistent, and unpredictable condition associated with distressing experiences. Participants described a process of balancing negative psychosocial consequences including stigma, loss of control, and reliance on other people and medication with parallel co-existing coping strategies. These attempts to manage the condition were characterized by a desire for acceptance and increased awareness of epilepsy, strategies to restore loss of control, and strength derived from supportive relationships. We conclude that there is large scope for psychosocial interventions in healthcare provision for this patient group. The roles of specialist nursing, relationship-centered models, psychotherapy, educational, and self-management programs are highlighted.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Adaptación Psicológica
/
Investigación Cualitativa
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Epilepsia
/
Estigma Social
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Aged
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Aged80
/
Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Epilepsy Behav
Asunto de la revista:
CIENCIAS DO COMPORTAMENTO
/
NEUROLOGIA
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article