EPILEPSY: Everything You Need to Know

by Allen H.; Arthur A. Attwell & Gregory O. Walsh Middleton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1981

A comprehensive and detailed guide to epilepsy, with careful attention to the social problems that those afflicted face. Epilepsy, we are reminded, is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of a central nervous system disorder whose manifestations range from total lapses of consciousness, convulsions, or minor muscle twitches to mere behavior or mood changes. In a question-and-answer format, the psychologist-authors meticulously explain the causes and mechanisms of the various types. For parents of children with epilepsy, they provide much of particular interest: a discussion of possible changes as children grow (one type of epilepsy may cease, another begin--or the epilepsy may stop altogether); sensitive advice on what to tell a child--and others--about his or her condition; help in making family adjustments (discipline, relations between siblings); and specifics on educational matters--how to decide if special help is needed, what to tell teachers, when and how to restrict physical activity. Also thoroughly aired are such current issues as seeking employment (plus on-the-job problems), obtaining insurance, and finding knowledgeable doctors and support groups. (The extensive resource lists are especially helpful.) Despite an occasional lapse into clinical terminology, the text is generally sympathetic and straightforward. A valuable resource, then--if not very different from the also-solid Epilepsy Fact Book (1979), by Harry Sands and Frances C. Minters.

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1981

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1981

Categories: NONFICTION