Overview
Stigma impacts quality of life, especially to those with silent illnesses such as epilepsy. This plenary session addresses stigma during the lifetime of a senior clinical academic psychiatrist, an expert with lived experience, who has dedicated his career to the psychiatric aspects of epilepsy. Stigma toward epilepsy is not limited to the public but exists within the medical profession and even professional societies. During this session, specific barriers created by stigma toward epilepsy will be discussed: social integration, education, career paths, employment, marriage with increased divorce rates, parenting, and even sports participation. Further, potential personal growth secondary to combating stigma will be considered.
Speakers
Chair: Dr Lade Smith, President Royal College of Psychiatrists
Professor Kenneth R. Kaufman, MD, FRCPsych, DLFAPA, FAES, Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Professor Kenneth R. Kaufman, MD, FRCPsych, DLFAPA, FAES, Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
