Epilepsy Book

Foreword 7

Introduction 9

Chapter 1 Understanding Epilepsy

1 Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder: An Overview Maureen Haggerty Teresa G. Odle 15

2 The Causes of Epilepsy: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 31

3 Myths and Facts About Epilepsy Orrin Devinsky 40

4 Teens Should Be Involved in Managing Their Epilepsy Patricia Osborne Shafer Colleen Dilorio 48

Chapter 2 Issues and Controversies Concerning Epilepsy

1 Drugs May Be Able to Prevent Trauma-Related Epilepsy Lauran Neergaard 58

2 Antiepileptic Drugs Can Have Negative Consequences Jillene Magill-Lewis 63

3 Generic Drugs May Be Dangerous for People with Epilepsy Donna Wright 69

4 Surgery Can Benefit People with Epilepsy Anita Manning 74

5 Surgery Does Not Improve Cognitive Function in People with Epilepsy Michele G. Sullivan 79

6 Brain Stimulation Can Benefit People with Epilepsy Ken Carlson 83

7 Dietary Changes Can Benefit People with Epilepsy Christen Brownlee 90

8 Seizure Response Dogs Benefit People with Epilepsy Jan Carter Hollingsworth 95

9 Fear of Discrimination Keeps Many People with Epilepsy Out of the Workplace 103

10 Laws Protect People with Epilepsy from Workplace Discrimination: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 108

Chapter 3 Living with Epilepsy

1 Unraveling the Secret of the Spells Christine Contillo 127

2 What I Hate the Most Is Losing My Memory John Flynn 132

3 Losing Our Daughter to Epilepsy Jeff Wilson 136

4 The Life of an Epileptic Autistic Savant Richard Johnson 140

Glossary 150

Chronology 153

Organizations to Contact 156

For Further Reading 161

Index 163