Explaining the Process of Adaptation to the Disease in Patients with Epilepsy: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: The concept of adaptation has gained central importance in research on chronic diseases. However, this process is not clear in adult epileptic patients. This study aimed to explain the process of adaptation to disease in patients with epilepsy. Methods: This study was conducted using the grounded theory approach from December 2018 to January 2020 in Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews with 18 patients with epilepsy. Participants were selected by purposeful or theoretical sampling method. Data collection was performed by the first author through conducting semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed by Strauss and Corbin’s (1998) method. Results: Four main categories with ten sub-themes were obtained from the data analysis. The main themes include "Perceived disorder," "Scrimmage with the disease," "Moving towards adaptation," and "Balancing life." The Core category achieved was "Trying to balance life." Conclusion: Based on the results, the process of adapting to epilepsy has four stages: "Perceived disorder," "Scrimmage with the disease," "Moving towards adaptation," and "Balancing life." The health providers’ awareness of these stages can provide a framework that can be used to help epilepsy patients achieve positive adaptation. Achievement of adaptation can help epileptic patients control the disease and improve their quality of life.