This section has been prepared for you as a young adult in the belief that, even if you have lived with epilepsy in childhood, there are certain facts that can be grasped only by a mature or maturing mind. Where epilepsy is diagnosed in the early or middle teens, knowing the facts can ensure a balanced attitude towards the condition. (Note that epilepsy is a CONDITION, not an illness or disease).
The medical management is in the hands of the family doctor and consultant; the domestic management is in the hands of the individual. Your daily living can play a large part in determining whether or not the condition becomes a handicap.
The information in this leaflet is grouped under three headings which cover most of the questions that are often asked. The first question must, of course, be “What is Epilepsy?” The text books say it is a repeated tendency to seizures or attacks. (NB. The words mean the same thing.) That may appear to be stating the obvious, but it is often the obvious that is overlooked.
Epilepsy is a tendency to seizures. The number of seizures varies from person to person and, sometimes, the individual will experience periods in life when seizures occur with greater frequency. The important point is that having epilepsy does not mean having seizures all the time. You may be incapacitated by them when they occur, but don’t let them dictate a life-style.
