What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain in which clusters of nerve cells (or neurones) send off abnormal electrical signals.
Normally, neurones send electrical signals that act to produce thoughts, feelings, sensations and actions.
When a seizure occurs, the normal pattern of brain activity is disturbed causing strange movements, sensations, emotions and behaviour. Convulsions may occur with muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy is not caused by mental illness or learning difficulties, although epilepsy is much more common in individuals with learning difficulties (at least 25% have epilepsy).
Adolescents may grow out of epilepsy. Some patients (of any age) may go many years without a seizure; 60% of patients may discontinue medication.
Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has 2 or more seizures are they considered to have epilepsy.
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Amended November 2008
