What Asking For It Creator Eamon O’Rourke Wants You To Know About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. It affects 2 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide; it strikes children and adults of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds. The seizures (often called “fits”) are not signs of mental illness, and people with epilepsy can have every day or near-normal lives. The seizures are believed to occur when there is a sudden, brief disruption in the brain’s rapid firing of nerve cells. The cause of that disruption may be genetic, but it can also be something as familiar as high fever, low blood sugar levels, or even playfully running up and down the stairs too quickly. People with epilepsy typically don’t experience the full range of emotions. They may not understand complex ideas but are often very good at learning and retaining information.
Epilepsy Education Remains a Key Part of O’Rourke’s Mission
Eamon O’Rourke was diagnosed with epilepsy in eighth grade and has become an advocate for the cause. He has been discussing his experience at schools around the country. He is sure that educating young people about epilepsy can prevent them from being bullied and help them understand what it’s like to live with this disorder. Eamon O’Rourke explains that epilepsy has remained a mystery to medical practitioners until very recently. There are many myths about epilepsy that need to be dispelled. Eamon also claims epilepsy to be a considerable part of his identity. While many people do have the misconception that people with epilepsy are mentally disabled, this is not true.
Eamon O’Rourke Says Even Brief Seizures Can Be Jarring
About 30% of all seizures last a little less than one minute. They are called “absences” because the person is “disappearing.” According to an article in Time Magazine, with epilepsy, you can have a seizure; minutes later, it will be remembered as if it happened hours earlier. This is called “intermittent non-epileptic seizures” or “Ise.” Intermittent means that the symptoms are not constant and may come and go. The exact causes of Ise are not well known. Tumors, substances such as alcohol, drugs, brain lesions, and psychiatric illnesses can cause them. It is estimated that about 500,000 people suffer from this each year in the United States.