Myths and Facts About Epilepsy

Myth: A person having a seizure can swallow his tongue.

Fact: Efforts to hold the tongue down or putting something in the mouth can hurt the tooth or jaw.

Myth: People with epilepsy are dangerous or posessed by the devil.

Fact: Epilepsy is a neurologic disorder, and it is rare that someone having a seizure will harm another person.

Myth: You should hold a person down while he's having a seizure.

Fact: You should make sure the area near the person is safe and that there is nothing hard or sharp.

Myth: You should perform artificial respiration.

Fact: Artificial respiration is only needed if the person does not start breathing after the seizure has stopped.