Epilepsy

ep·i·lep·sy /ˈepəˌlepsē/

noun

1. a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain

Essentially, epilepsy is the re-occurrence of seizures. A seizure is an abnormal discharge of electrons in the brain which can cause anything from blank spells (petit mal) to full convulsions (grand mal). Thus, epilepsy is a multifaceted and complex disorder. The depth to which the general public understands the disorder is quite shallow, and this leads us to subconsciously link epilepsy to danger. 

This might be due to the fact that it can look a bit scary. It seems violent, and the concept that people lose control of their bodies- even if for a split second- can be frightening. When we think of the word seizure itself, it doesn’t have a particularly appealing connotation. To take hold, to capture by force, to grab.

Though this negative association is difficult to separate from the illness itself, it’s important for us to understand that people are not solely defined by their illness, and that epilepsy is a human condition.

Want to learn more?  Click on a post to get started! Or you can scroll through them all here.