No medical condition is as misunderstood or misinterpreted as epilepsy, delegates at the National Neurosciences Nursing Conference have heard.

According to Maire White, a clinical nurse specialist in epilepsy at Beaumont Hospital, people with the condition often have to cope with problems in almost every sphere of their day-to-day lives, from making friends to getting a job.

"The sizeable social stigma attached to epilepsy, its unpredictability and its transient nature may cause frustration and anxiety, not only for the patient, but for the family, friends and care workers", Ms White said.

She added that while some restrictions are necessary, adults and children with epilepsy should be encouraged to live a full life with the condition.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, with at least five in every 1,000 people being affected by it. People with the condition have seizures. These happen when an abnormal electrical discharge occurs in the brain, disturbing normal function.

The seizures are usually brief but can result in a loss of consciousness, however once the attack is over, the normal electrical activity of the brain resumes.

The conference was held at Beaumont Hospital.