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Epilepsy
Understanding and managing the condition: A practical guide for families
Ways to buy
Paperback edition (complete book)
£45.00
Buy ebook edition (Amazon)
Buy ebook edition (Apple Books)
Epilepsy breaks down the medical complexity of the condition into a clear, lifelong roadmap, combining world-class clinical expertise with lived experiences to empower all those involved from diagnosis to adulthood.
Whether you are an individual navigating your own care, a parent or family member supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional looking for a broader perspective, this practical guide offers the expert-backed clarity needed to manage spina bifida with confidence.
“This book goes beyond relaying information; it involves comfort, guidance, and knowledgeable support and trust—the art of care.”
— MARIA ROBERTA CILIO, MD, PHD
“An invaluable resource for anyone seeking to comprehend the complexities of epilepsy.”
—COLIN P. DOHERTY, MD
“Finally! A book that truly helps families understand epilepsy. I wish I had this book at the beginning of my journey. It’s a must-read for any family navigating life with epilepsy.”
—COLLEEN PETERSON, PARENT
Key features:
- Clinical excellence: Delivers detailed medical insights and best-practice evidence-based treatment options.
- Holistic perspective: Explores how spina bifida impacts development, participation, and overall quality of life.
- Lifelong focus: Provides tailored guidance that evolves alongside the needs of children, adolescents, and adults.
- Empowered outcomes: Equips families with the tools and confidence to partner effectively with healthcare teams for optimal long-term health.
The Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series distills medical complexity into clear, actionable roadmaps for childhood-acquired physical and neurological conditions. By bridging the gap between clinical research and daily reality, this definitive collection provides a vital guide for those living with a lifelong condition.
Whether you are an individual navigating your own health journey, a parent or family member supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional seeking a broader multidisciplinary perspective, this series provides the expert-backed clarity needed to manage the condition with confidence.
Co-published by Mac Keith Press and Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press, the series is built on a foundation of collaborative expertise. Every book combines evidence-based, best-practice treatments led by medical specialists with the invaluable lived experiences of individuals and families.
You can now purchase the complete Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series bundle at a 30% discount via this link.
Other titles in the series include:
- Craniosynostosis
- Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Spastic Hemiplegia—Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
- Spastic Quadriplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy
- Spastic Diplegia—Bilateral Cerebral Palsy, second edition
- Spina Bifida
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Scoliosis—Congenital, Neuromuscular, Syndromic, and Other Causes
Authors and Editors
Series Foreword by Dr. Tom F. Novacheck
SERIES INTRODUCTION
1 SEIZURES AND EPILEPSY: AN OVERVIEW
- Introduction
- Causes, risk Factors, and prevalence
- Seizure first aid
- Differential diagnosis of a seizure
Key points Chapter1
- UNDERSTANDING SEIZURES AND EPILEPSY
- Introduction
- A first seizure: Provoked or unprovoked?
- Classification of seizures
- Phases of a seizure
- Classification of epilepsy
- Overview of epilepsy management
- Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Key points Chapter 2
- THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Introduction
- The brain
- Neurons
- Seizure threshold
Key points Chapter 3
- EEG AND SEIZURE DETECTION
WITH ABIGAIL CARLSON, BS, R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, NA-CLTM
- Introduction to EEG
- What happens during EEG?
- Interpreting the EEG recording
- Phases of a seizure and EEG
- Seizure recording and detection
Key points Chapter 4
- DIAGNOSIS OF EPILEPSY
- Introduction
- Brain imaging
- Laboratory tests
- Lumbar puncture
- Genetic testing
Key points Chapter 5
- CAUSES OF EPILEPSY
- Introduction
- Structural
- Genetic
- Infectious
- Metabolic
- Immune
- Unknown
Key points Chapter 6
- EPILEPSY SYNDROMES
- Introduction
- Onset in the neonatal period and infancy
- Onset in childhood
- Onset in adolescence and adulthood
- Onset at a variable age
Key points Chapter 7
- MANAGEMENT OF EPILEPSY
- Introduction
- Pharmaceutical management
- Non-pharmaceutical management
WITH KARRI LARSON, RD, LD
- Other medications or supplements
- Alternative and complementary therapies
Key points Chapter 8
- COMORBIDITIES OF EPILEPSY
- Introduction
- Neurological and neurodevelopmental comorbidities
- Physical comorbidities
- Psychiatric comorbidities
Key points Chapter 9
- GROWING UP WITH EPILEPSY
- Introduction
- Psychosocial impact of epilepsy
- Activity modifications and lifestyle considerations
- Education and career planning
- Transition to adult care
WITH TORI BAHR, MD
- Family planning and pregnancy
Key points Chapter10
- LIVING WITH EPILEPSY
- FURTHER READING AND RESEARCH
WITH ELIZABETH R. BOYER, PhD
Acknowledgments
APPENDICES (ONLINE)
Appendix 1: A short history of epilepsy
Appendix 2: Seizure mimics
Appendix 3: Seizure and epilepsy terminology
Appendix 4: Neurons and seizures
Appendix 5: Genetic testing and epilepsy
Appendix 6: Epilepsy syndromes
Appendix 7: Mechanism of action of antiseizure medications
Glossary
References
Index
Epilepsy: Understanding and managing the condition: A practical guide for families is part of the Gillette Children's Healthcare Series dedicated to patients and their families. The fact that it has been written by a doctor, a professional writer, and a parent gives it a considerable advantage from the outset, and explains why it is so enjoyable to read. Indeed, as you leaf through its 364 pages, you feel a certain apprehension and wonder whether it is necessary to read every page; but as soon as you start reading it, you are swept away by the pleasure of reading.
This book is written in a very simple style and is easy to read and understand for non-specialists. The terminology used, although scientific, remains accessible to the target audience. From the very first page, the reader is captivated by the depth of the information and the simplicity of the message. As the chapters unfold, one senses the authors' effort to convey a simple, clear message about such a complex disease, using carefully designed diagrams. They have not fallen into the specialists' trap. The inclusion of key points at the end of each chapter makes it easy to retain the most important information, and the inclusion of the stages of Emma's story in each chapter makes these concepts concrete and not just theoretical.
The plan followed by the authors corresponds to the stages in the life of an individual with epilepsy. The first chapter briefly answers the questions that patients and parents ask at the first consultation, with practical emergency measures to be taken in the event of a seizure. This is followed by a detailed review of all aspects of epilepsy, following the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) diagnostic approach and including definitions, different types of epilepsy and syndromes, etiologies, management, and co-occurring conditions.
The importance of the clinical description of these paroxysmal events by parents and patients is well emphasized. Explaining the phases of an epileptic seizure with a diagram is great and will enable the patient to better understand the sensations and symptoms of the different stages of their seizure and its critical moments.
This is a book destined for patients and their families. It includes a section that explains the brain and its functions, helping readers understand that epilepsy does indeed originate in the brain and is no more supernatural than any other medical condition.
Dedicating an entire chapter to the electroencephalograph (EEG) is relevant for explaining recording technology and the important place of the EEG in the diagnosis of an epileptic seizure for the patient, but explaining interpretation methods in detail seems too specialized for patients.
In the chapters on diagnostic methods and the various etiologies of epilepsy, the authors, in keeping with the ILAE classification, explain the different syndromes in comprehensible terms, which will be of great help in improving patients' awareness of the clinical signs that may be of concern.
The chapter on epilepsy treatments and comorbidities will make it easier for patients to understand and adhere to treatment. It will enable patients to learn about the therapeutic options currently available in addition to antiseizure medication, and to make informed decisions about their health, stressing the importance of regular visits and communication with the doctor.
Epilepsy and its comorbidities require a global, individualized, and constantly adjusted approach. Informing, accompanying, and empowering patients can transform disease management into a proactive approach to improving quality of life while minimizing the impact of seizures and associated disorders. Nevertheless, this chapter was overloaded with information that could potentially confuse patients, especially in terms of cognitive development. Saying that 30 to 40 percent of children with epilepsy have intellectual disability without specifying that it involves particular epileptic syndromes may have consequences for these children's schooling.
Last but not least, telling real-life stories of parents' and patients' struggles, hopes, failures, and successes has helped to humanize this book and will ensure that patients and families do not feel alone in their fight.
Upon reading this book, some might object that the overabundance of information could frighten or disorient patients. However, this work, written in accessible language while maintaining the necessary precision, will undoubtedly contribute to improving the knowledge of patients and their families about epilepsy by providing them with the tools necessary to actively participate in care, while respecting dignity and the right to information. This book is also valuable for physicians and other healthcare professionals. It will help improve communication, reinforce key points covered during consultations, and enable patients, particularly those recently diagnosed, and their families, to better understand and manage their illness. However, this book does not address the nuances of each case, which can lead to unrealistic expectations or self-diagnosis.
This book should always be accompanied by professional medical advice. Taking the initiative to translate this book into other languages will help other patients and families in other parts of the world.
Chahnez Charfi Triki for DMCN: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.16384
This book offers a comprehensive and accessible overview of seizures and epilepsy, specifically tailored for non-clinicians such as patients and their families.
The book's goal is to educate families and non-clinicians about epilepsy and seizures, including the medical processes behind diagnosis and management. The book succeeds in delivering on this objective by presenting information in a clear, jargon-free manner and defining key terms throughout the text, making complex topics accessible to a lay audience.
The primary audience for this book is parents and families of individuals with epilepsy and seizures, as well as adults living with the condition. The writing is clear, accessible, and tailored to this audience, avoiding medical jargon while still conveying key information. The book's credibility is bolstered by its authorship that includes, but is not limited to, a pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at Gillette Children's who brings clinical authority to the subject and the parent of a child with epilepsy who offers a deeply personal and practical perspective. While not written for clinicians, individuals in training or in allied health fields may also benefit from its patient-centered approach.
The book is organized into 12 chapters, each divided into short, digestible sections. It introduces foundational concepts including nervous system anatomy, EEG and seizure detection, epilepsy syndromes, and diagnosis. The book also discusses both medical and non-medical treatment options as well as broader lifestyle and psychosocial aspects of epilepsy. Real-life narratives from families of children with epilepsy are woven throughout, adding practical context and emotional depth. It makes extensive use of diagrams, illustrations, and QR codes that link to additional online resources, enhancing reader engagement and reinforcing understanding. A key strength of the book is the inclusion of a well-curated glossary that defines important terms, making complex medical language approachable. The book also provides scientific references to support the material presented and includes seven online appendices offering expanded information on topics such as seizure types, treatment options, and support resources. The thoughtful structure and supplemental material make it a standout resource for non-clinicians.
This book is highly recommended for anyone with a confirmed diagnosis of seizures or epilepsy, as well as for their caregivers and family members. The book's greatest strength lies in its ease of reading and visual layout, with an emphasis on clarity and accessibility. The limited use of dense text, combined with plentiful illustrations and real-life examples, makes it especially suitable for families and patients. A key limitation is that it is not intended for clinicians or those seeking in-depth medical detail, as some clinical nuances are understandably omitted. Compared to other patient-focused materials, this book is notably more comprehensive and informative. Even practicing neurologists can benefit from it as a guide on how to translate clinical decision making into patient care.
Ali Saherwala, MD (Thomas Jefferson University)
