Seizure freedom as a transitional phase of recovery: rethinking the burden of normality in epilepsy integrating medical and lived perspectives in post-remission care.
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| Title: | Seizure freedom as a transitional phase of recovery: rethinking the burden of normality in epilepsy integrating medical and lived perspectives in post-remission care. |
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| Authors: | Di Gennaro, Giancarlo (AUTHOR), Giancristofaro, Lia (AUTHOR), Grammaldo, Liliana (AUTHOR), Labate, Angelo (AUTHOR), Tomasini, Andrea (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Neurological Sciences. May2026, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p1-7. 7p. |
| Abstract: | Background: In epilepsy, seizure freedom is widely regarded as the primary therapeutic endpoint. However, equating recovery with seizure cessation alone may overlook relevant psychological, social, and existential dimensions. The concept of the “burden of normality” describes the disequilibrium that can arise when individuals are expected to resume ordinary life after prolonged illness. We propose framing seizure freedom as the beginning of a transitional phase—analogous to developmental transitions—characterized by identity renegotiation and adjustment to new roles and expectations. Methods: This paper stems from a multidisciplinary meeting held in Rome (June 2025) involving neurologists, a neuropsychologist, a medical anthropologist, and a patient representative. Through multidisciplinary discussion, participants explored the implications of seizure freedom across biomedical and psychosocial domains. Key themes were identified through qualitative synthesis and translated into practice-oriented considerations. Results: Seizure freedom was conceptualized not as the end of illness experience but as the onset of a complex recovery phase. Key themes emerged, including: [1] recovery as a multidimensional process extending beyond symptom control; [2] psychosocial challenges, including identity disruption, emotional ambivalence, and relational strain; [3] persistent biological and neuropsychiatric burdens despite seizure control; and [4] gaps in current care models, which rarely address post-remission needs. Conclusions: Seizure freedom should be reframed as the start of a transitional recovery phase. Holistic care strategies and broader outcome measures are needed to support sustained reintegration and long-term well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Neurological Sciences is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: pbh DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection An: 193236035 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Seizure freedom as a transitional phase of recovery: rethinking the burden of normality in epilepsy integrating medical and lived perspectives in post-remission care. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Di+Gennaro%2C+Giancarlo%22">Di Gennaro, Giancarlo</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Giancristofaro%2C+Lia%22">Giancristofaro, Lia</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Grammaldo%2C+Liliana%22">Grammaldo, Liliana</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Labate%2C+Angelo%22">Labate, Angelo</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tomasini%2C+Andrea%22">Tomasini, Andrea</searchLink> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Neurological+Sciences%22">Neurological Sciences</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p1-7. 7p. – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Background: In epilepsy, seizure freedom is widely regarded as the primary therapeutic endpoint. However, equating recovery with seizure cessation alone may overlook relevant psychological, social, and existential dimensions. The concept of the “burden of normality” describes the disequilibrium that can arise when individuals are expected to resume ordinary life after prolonged illness. We propose framing seizure freedom as the beginning of a transitional phase—analogous to developmental transitions—characterized by identity renegotiation and adjustment to new roles and expectations. Methods: This paper stems from a multidisciplinary meeting held in Rome (June 2025) involving neurologists, a neuropsychologist, a medical anthropologist, and a patient representative. Through multidisciplinary discussion, participants explored the implications of seizure freedom across biomedical and psychosocial domains. Key themes were identified through qualitative synthesis and translated into practice-oriented considerations. Results: Seizure freedom was conceptualized not as the end of illness experience but as the onset of a complex recovery phase. Key themes emerged, including: [1] recovery as a multidimensional process extending beyond symptom control; [2] psychosocial challenges, including identity disruption, emotional ambivalence, and relational strain; [3] persistent biological and neuropsychiatric burdens despite seizure control; and [4] gaps in current care models, which rarely address post-remission needs. Conclusions: Seizure freedom should be reframed as the start of a transitional recovery phase. Holistic care strategies and broader outcome measures are needed to support sustained reintegration and long-term well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Neurological Sciences is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1007/s10072-026-09045-w Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 7 StartPage: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: Seizure freedom as a transitional phase of recovery: rethinking the burden of normality in epilepsy integrating medical and lived perspectives in post-remission care. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Di Gennaro, Giancarlo – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Giancristofaro, Lia – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Grammaldo, Liliana – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Labate, Angelo – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Tomasini, Andrea IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 05 Text: May2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 15901874 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 47 – Type: issue Value: 5 Titles: – TitleFull: Neurological Sciences Type: main |
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