What Every Family Should Know About Epilepsy: Causes, Myths & Treatment

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. A seizure happens when brain signals get disrupted. It can make a person lose awareness, twitch, or even fall. Some seizures last for a few seconds. Others go on for minutes. Not all seizures look the same.

What causes epilepsy?

There isn’t just one cause. In some people, epilepsy starts after a brain injury or infection. In others, it’s linked to genetics. Sometimes, doctors never find a clear reason. That doesn’t mean it’s anyone’s fault. It just means the brain’s normal activity changes in a way that leads to seizures.

Some known causes include:

• Head trauma (like after a car crash)

• Stroke

• Brain tumors

• High fever in children (febrile seizures)

• Lack of oxygen at birth

In older adults, stroke is a major cause. In kids, it’s often unexplained.

Common myths about epilepsy

Myth 1: It’s a mental illness.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition. It’s not a mental disorder. The brain’s electrical signals are the issue—not the person’s thoughts or emotions.

Myth 2: You should hold someone down during a seizure.
Never do that. It can cause injuries. Instead, make sure the person is safe. Turn them on their side. Don’t put anything in their mouth. Most seizures stop on their own.

Myth 3: You can catch epilepsy.
Epilepsy is not contagious. You can’t catch it from someone else. It’s caused by brain activity, not viruses or bacteria.

Myth 4: People with epilepsy can’t live normal lives.
That’s not true. With the right treatment, many people manage their seizures well. They go to school, work, and have families.

How is epilepsy treated?

Treatment depends on the type of seizures. Doctors may suggest:

• Anti-seizure medication (ASM): Most people start here. These drugs help reduce or stop seizures. Some people may need to try more than one.

• Surgery: If medicine doesn’t work, surgery might help. It removes or alters the part of the brain causing seizures.

• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): This device sends electrical pulses to the brain through a nerve in the neck.

• Ketogenic diet: In children, a high-fat, low-carb diet may reduce seizures.

Doctors in Delhi and other cities now use video EEG tests and brain scans to diagnose epilepsy better. Finding the right treatment takes time, but it helps people live better.

What families should do

If someone in your family has epilepsy:

• Learn first aid for seizures

• Stay calm during an episode

• Help them take their medicine on time

• Go for regular follow-ups with a neurologist

• Watch for triggers like lack of sleep, stress, or missed medication

Epilepsy can be managed. Early diagnosis and regular care matter. Treatment in Delhi is available at many hospitals and neurology centers. Families should never ignore repeated episodes of fainting, confusion, or shaking. These could be signs of seizures.

And always remember—having epilepsy doesn’t define someone. With support, they can lead a full and active life.