Mumbai, March 13: Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh recently shared a sensitive aspect of her personal life on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, “All About Her.” In this episode, she discussed her struggle with epilepsy in detail.
Soha’s podcast is known for inviting expert doctors when guests talk about their health issues. During Fatima’s segment, neurologist Dr. Jayanti Mani was also present to provide insights.
Soha mentioned, “You discovered you had epilepsy during the filming of ‘Dangal.’”
Fatima recounted, “It was a very painful experience for me. As soon as I realized a seizure was coming, I informed those around me. However, no one knew what to do. Fortunately, Aamir Khan and Sania were there. I accidentally bit Sania, causing her to bleed. I don’t remember that incident; I just know I was terrified, fainted, and then found myself in the hospital.”
Initially, many dismissed her condition. Some thought it was a ploy for attention or perhaps due to substance use. Fatima expressed her shock when the doctor told her parents not to take it seriously, saying it was common.
The neurologist explained that seizures can be common among women. She clarified, “A single seizure is termed a ‘seizure.’ If it occurs repeatedly, it’s classified as ‘epilepsy.’”
Fatima admitted she was in denial at first, thinking, “I’m not crazy; why am I being prescribed medication?”
The neurologist pointed out that most people associate seizures only with “twitching and falling,” but epilepsy can exist even when tests come back normal.
Fatima shared that her condition significantly affected her personal and professional life. “This illness isolated me socially. There was no sympathy; people distanced themselves. I withdrew into myself,” she said.
The neurologist illustrated that certain triggers, like flashing lights in Pokémon games, can increase seizures in children, showing how epilepsy can be influenced by specific stimuli.
Fatima noted that her condition is not as severe as that of other patients. Some children experience 5-10 seizures a day, while 80% of seizures last only 1-2 minutes and resolve on their own. Only 20% of cases require concern. She also revealed that alongside epilepsy, she has battled bulimia.
She stated, “When I visited someone’s home, I would immediately open the fridge. My relationship with food was very dangerous, but I have learned to manage it now.”
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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