safety alertalert exclamation

If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call 911 or your local hotline or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233 voice), 1-800-787-3224 (tty). There is always a computer trail, but you can click ESCAPE to leave the site quickly.

Overview

Seizure disorders involve disruptions of the brain's electrical activity, resulting in some degree of temporary brain dysfunction. Normal brain function demands a coordinated series of electrical impulses which allow the brain to connect with the spinal cord, nerves, and muscles in a person’s body. When electrical impulses discharge abnormally, a seizure may occur, causing the person to, for various amount of time, not be able to control their movements.

Stats

About 2% of adults have a seizure at some time during their life. Two thirds of these people never have another one. 1 Most commonly, seizure disorders begin in early childhood or in late adulthood.

Impact

Seizure disorders can cause physical, behavioral and memory limitations. Someone that has a seizure disorder may have clouded thinking from the disorder itself or from the medications taken for it. Anti-convulsing medication can result in slowed reactions, difficulty focusing eyes, flat affect, and clumsiness.

1Merck Online Medical Manual. Last updated February 1, 2003.