LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM EPILEPSY: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the common neurological conditions characterized by recurrent episodes of epileptic ts. Parents of children suffering from Epilepsy face many social and psychological problems. The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of parents of children suffering from Epilepsy. Purposive sampling technique was used and twenty four parents of children suffering from Epilepsy were interviewed. Data was collected by taking in-depth interviews of parents of children suffering from Epilepsy. Recording of interviews was done by audio recorder. Verbatim were prepared, from which sixteen themes and forty seven subthemes were identied and described.The result highlighted that parents of children suffering from Epilepsy had various types of experiences they use various measures to treat Epilepsy including ayurvedic medicines, homeopathic treatment and also go to various witch quacks and temples. Parents of children suffering from Epilepsy passes through the stages from where they have to face many types of problems like psychological problems, social problems, family problems, nancial problems and occupational problems. There is a need to create awareness about Epilepsy on a nation-wide basis to dispel the misconceptions and stigma through effective and robust programs with the aim to lessen the disease burden.