Apart from tuberculosis and syphilis, few diseases have been as steeped in myth as epilepsy.

The generalized tonic-clonic seizure has been associated with phenomena ranging from divine powers and possession by spirits to mental and moral depravity.

This has been chronicled and described extensively in fiction and feature films.

They do nothing but reinforce the stigma that is rampant about the condition.

But not always.

The following TV shows and movies all feature characters with epilepsy.

Included are the good, the bad and the plain ugly portrayals of epilepsy on screen.

Epilepsy on TV — Soap Operas

Coronation Street (2010)
Weatherfield hairdresser David Platt, played by Jack P. Shepherd, was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2010 after blacking out while driving.

As an ongoing character, he controls his epilepsy with medication but had a seizure in an episode aired in March 2013.

East Enders (2014)
Has received praise last year for…