Epilepsy Disorder

Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurring seizures (also known as "seizure disorder")

A seizure is a symptom of epilepsy

understand epilepsy, it is important to review the difference between epilepsy and seizures. Epilepsy is a generic term used to define a variety of disorders characterized by recurring seizures. A diagnosis of epilepsy means that a person has an underlying condition, such as a brain injury, that affects the delicate systems which govern how electrical energy behaves in the brain, making it susceptible to recurring seizures.

A seizure is a brief, temporary disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain. Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy. However, having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. There are other causes of seizures, including high fever, kidney failure, or lack of oxygen.

Epilepsy is not contagious. You cannot catch epilepsy from someone else and nobody can catch it from you. Many misconceptions surround epilepsy, and sometimes people inadvertently add to the negative image of the disorder by choice of language. Like all individuals with a disability, persons with epilepsy dislike labels, such as "he's an epileptic." Epilepsy is a condition that a person has, not what they are. The preferred terminology is "person with epilepsy." In addition, epilepsy should be referred to as a "disorder," since it is not a disease by definition. It is a disorder characterized by a recurring disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain.

Extreme fatigue occurs immediately after a seizure.

The individual may experience confusion

Emotional Instability

Adverse Behavior Exhibited

Epilepsy Related Fear

Frustration

what caused their disorder; yet in as many as 7 out of 10 people with epilepsy, no specific cause can be found. Among the rest, the cause may be any one of a number of things that can make a difference in the way the brain works.

Periods of blackout or confused memory

Occasional "fainting spells"

Episodes of blank staring

Sudden falls for no apparent reason

Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times

A convulsion, with or without fever

Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies

Only a Physician can say for certain whether or not a person has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs of the condition and therefore also