Epilepsy is a neurologic disorder, which affects the patient's behaviour and carries strong psychological, social and cultural difficulties. Group-work improves the interaction parent-child, through appropriate explanations regarding the epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to give adequate information about epilepsy through support groups (educational procedure) and to assess the efficacy of these groups in identifying psychological aspects. Protocols were applied to 36 parents before and after the sessions, with questions concerning feelings and beliefs about epilepsy as well as parent-child interactions. As the main results, the following feelings were observed: fear, frightening and anxiety, sadness and rejection, that were associated with overprotection and lack of limits. After support groups, 91,6% of the parents reported having acquired larger knowledge regarding the epilepsy, associating major difficulties to the lack of information and the inadequate beliefs involved. The conclusion is that the orientation about epilepsy, the use of medicines, the psychological, social and behavioral aspects, improve the epilepsy adaptation. Support groups dispel misconceptions, clarify relations with parents-children and prevent behavioral difficulties.
Childhood epilepsy; Support groups; Psychological aspects