Treating epilepsy remains difficult: 'Corina had up to ninety attacks a day'

More than two hundred thousand people in the Netherlands live with epilepsy, a condition for which there is still no cure. For many, medications and treatments offer some relief, but approximately sixty thousand people still struggle daily with seizures, anxiety, and uncertainty about their health.

To raise awareness and advocate for more research, EpilepsieNL is launching a national campaign today. The goal is not only to raise awareness but also to gather support for the scientific research needed to ultimately offer everyone with epilepsy a safer, more stable, and more independent life.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. It's often undetectable externally, but its impact on daily life is significant. Epilepsy is highly unpredictable: seizures can occur at any time: at home, at work, or while traveling.

Epilepsy is still too complex to truly understand: "Great strides have been made, but we still know too little," says Joost Wijnhoud, CEO of EpilepsieNL. "Even those who are seizure-free still have to continue taking medication and live with the fear of seizures returning. For those for whom treatments don't work, daily life is even more difficult. More research is desperately needed to better understand, treat, and ultimately cure epilepsy."

Thanks to scientific research, treatment options have improved significantly in recent years. Approximately 70 percent of people with epilepsy benefit from medication or other treatments. However, these medications don't work for everyone, and they don't cure epilepsy.

Corina from Soest is an expert by experience. She knows the difference that extensive research and treatment can make. For years, she suffered from up to ninety seizures a day. After successful treatment, she gradually regained her life. In October, for example, she participated in the Epilepsy Run. Yet, epilepsy remains a major part of her life.

In-depth research into epilepsy focuses not only on medications but also on technology that makes life safer. A recent breakthrough is the NightWatch, a device that warns of nocturnal seizures. According to EpelepsieNL, the next step is research into seizure prediction: technology that warns before a seizure begins. "Such a development can change lives," says Wijnhoud. "It gives people peace of mind, freedom, and confidence, and that is precisely what research makes possible."

With its new campaign, EpilepsieNL aims to bring epilepsy awareness to the public. Advertisements with short, thought-provoking facts about epilepsy will appear at train stations and gas stations throughout the country, as well as online. Information about epilepsy will be deliberately presented in the form of relatable situations.

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