Scientology & Medication for Epilepsy

Maybe you've seen an episode happen, know somebody that has it, or have it yourself and just don't know it. Epilepsy is a condition that takes some getting used to. There are a couple of different types of epilepsy; while some episodes can be quite violent, some aren't even noticeable to the untrained eye. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for epilepsy.

What is Epilepsy?

• Epilepsy is a condition where an event occurs in the brain known as a seizure. Basically a seizure is when the neurons in the brain "misfire" and neural activity is disrupted. In a nutshell, an epilepsy episode or seizure could be equated to a car's engine backfiring. The most commonly known epileptic episode is called a generalized or grand mal seizure.

Reaction

• In the event of an epileptic episode, the person will become unresponsive to external stimuli and in the case of a generalized seizure, the person will shake violently or have the feeling that every muscle in their body is flexing simultaneously.

Treatment

• The treatment for epilepsy usually includes a daily regimen of antiepileptic drugs. Depending on the severity of the epilepsy, a person may have to take the medication several times a day.

Traditional Treatment

• There is literally plethora of medications used as a prophylactic for epileptic seizures. The first medication used was Phenobarbital, first introduced in 1912. However, Dilantin (phenytoin) has been the primary drug to prevent seizures since 1938.

Scientology and Epilepsy

• Scientology, the religion that was founded by science fiction novelist L. Ron Hubbard, states that epilepsy is a "made-up illness" and that any participant in the Church of Scientology should not take any medications to prevent the person from having an epileptic episode, or a seizure. Some members of the religion have tried to follow their faith and have paid dearly for it. There are numerous Web sites and forums that speak of incidents that have occurred by following this church's mandates.