Self‐stigma among people with epilepsy: Comparison between Germany and Japan
This study compared how people with epilepsy treated in two tertiary epilepsy centers in Japan and Germany feel about their condition and themselves. The research found that Japanese patients felt more stigma (negative self-judgment) about having epilepsy and reported more feelings of depression and anxiety than German patients. They also knew less about epilepsy and felt less confident about themselves. These findings suggest that differences in healthcare systems and social attitudes between the two countries may affect how people cope with epilepsy, highlighting the need for better support systems in Japan.
Authors
- Hiroaki Okajima
- Satsuki Watanabe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4860-4872)
- Haruo Yoshimasu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6395-3720)
- Christian Brandt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8666-1640)
- Takayuki Iwayama (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2191-4146)
- Christian G. Bien (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2225-8654)
- Izumi Kuramochi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6416-5213)
- Anne Hagemann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8158-7442)
- Koji Matsuo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2002-5526)
Institutions
- Showa Women's University (JP)
- Bielefeld University (DE)
- Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bielefeld (DE)
- Social Insurance Saitama Chuo Hospital (JP)
- Saitama Medical University (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Epilepsia Open
- Published
- 2025-03-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.70005
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Epilepsy research and treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.94
Funders
- Gesellschaft für Epilepsieforschung
- Saitama Medical University
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science