Kubota Hidemoto
National Hospital Organization, Shizuoka Institute of Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders, Urushiyama, Aoi-ku Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan.
Brain Nerve. 2011 Apr;63(4):401-9.
People with epilepsy (PWEs) find it difficult to join society because of their seizures and because of the many kinds of problems that they face in the interictal periodo. These interictal issues include coexistent disabilities other than epilepsy, comorbidity (depression or anxiety), and psychosocial issues. PWEs show a high rate of impairment of intelligence and of, psychological, verbal, and motor functions; these impairments are classified according to the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH; 1980). These impairments lead to disabilities such as those with regard to communication, social functions, personal care, mobility, skillful work, and engaging in an occupation. Social ignorance and discrimination also make it difficult for PWEs to integrate in the society. Therfore, social support for PWEs is important, and doctors should be aware regarding the social resources, social welfare systems, and laws for PWEs. In this study, the current Japanese social support systems for PWEs have been briefly reviewed. For example, since 2002, PWEs can hold a driving license if they are seizure free for more than 2 years, can prove that their seizures occur only during sleep for more than 2 years and can also prove that these seizures do not impair of consciousness (simple partial seizure) nor affect their ability to drive for more than 1 year.
癫痫患者（PWEs）由于癫痫发作以及在发作间期面临的多种问题，难以融入社会。这些发作间期的问题包括除癫痫外并存的残疾、合并症（抑郁或焦虑）以及心理社会问题。癫痫患者在智力、心理、语言和运动功能方面存在较高的损伤率；这些损伤根据《国际损伤、残疾和障碍分类》（ICIDH；1980年）进行分类。这些损伤会导致沟通、社交功能、个人护理、行动能力、熟练工作和从事职业等方面的残疾。社会的无知和歧视也使癫痫患者难以融入社会。因此，对癫痫患者的社会支持很重要，医生应该了解癫痫患者的社会资源、社会福利系统和相关法律。在本研究中，简要回顾了日本目前针对癫痫患者的社会支持系统。例如，自2002年以来，如果癫痫患者无发作超过2年，能证明其发作仅在睡眠期间发生超过2年，并且还能证明这些发作不会损害意识（单纯部分性发作）也不影响其驾驶能力超过1年，他们就可以持有驾照。
