01256nas a2200205   4500000000100000008004100001260000800042653002800050653002100078653001300099653001600112653001400128100001100142700001400153245005600167856006300223300001400286490000600300520074400306       2016                            d  bRCP10aStigma (health related)10aHealth  Services10aEpilepsy10aCommunities10aAwareness1 aMula M1 aSander JW00aPsychosocial aspects of epilepsy: a wider approach.  uhttp://bjpo.rcpsych.org/content/2/4/270.full-text.pdf+html  a270–2740 v23 a<p>Epilepsy is one of the most serious neurological conditions and has an impact not only on the affected individual but also on the family and, indirectly, on the community. A global approach to the individual must take into account cognitive problems, psychiatric comorbidities and all psychosocial complications that often accompany epilepsy. We discuss psychosocial issues in epilepsy with special focus on the relationship between stigma and psychiatric comorbidities. Social barriers to optimal care and health outcomes for people with epilepsy result in huge disparities, and the public health system needs to invest in awareness programmes to increase public knowledge and reduce stigma in order to minimise such disparities.</p>