World Purple Day 2025: Every year March 26 is marked as World Purple Day 2025 to increase worldwide awareness of epilepsy, and to dispel common myths and fears of this neurological disorder.
Interestingly, Canada is the only country in the world who officially recognizes March 26th as Purple Day through the Purple Day Act implemented on June 28, 2012. It is noteworthy that purple is the chosen colour for epilepsy awareness, symbolising hope, courage, and solidarity with those impacted by the disorder.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a long-term (chronic) disease that causes repeated seizures due to abnormal electrical signals produced by damaged brain cells. Seizures can include changes to your awareness, muscle control (your muscles may twitch or jerk), sensations, emotions and behavior. Epilepsy is also called a seizure disorder.
What are the signs and symptoms of epileptic seizures?
The main symptom of epilepsy is recurring seizures. Your symptoms, however, vary depending on the type of seizure you have, as per Cleveland Clinics.
Seizure signs and symptoms include:
- Temporary loss of awareness or consciousness.
- Uncontrolled muscle movements, muscle jerking, loss of muscle tone.
- Blank stare or “staring into space” look.
- Temporary confusion, slowed thinking, problems with talking and understanding.
- Changes in hearing, vision, taste, smell, feelings of numbness or tingling.
- Problems talking or understanding.
- Upset stomach, waves of heat or cold, goosebumps.
- Lip-smacking, chewing motion, rubbing hands, finger motions.
- Psychic symptoms, including fear, dread, anxiety or déjà vu.
- Faster heart rate and/or breathing.
Most people with epilepsy tend to have the same type of seizure, so have similar symptoms with each seizure, Cleveland Clinic says.
How is epilepsy treated?
Treatments to control epilepsy include anti-seizure medications, special diets (usually in addition to anti-seizure medications) and surgery, Cleveland Clinic says.