What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is not just one condition, but a group of many different 'epilepsies' with one thing in common: a tendency to have seizures that start in the brain.
Anyone can develop epilepsy, at any time of life.
Epilepsy is usually only diagnosed after a person has had more than one seizure and not all seizures are due to epilepsy. Epilepsy can happen in people of all ages, races and social classes. Epilepsy is most commonly diagnosed in children and in people over 65.
There are over half a million people with epilepsy in the UK, so around 1 in 100 people.
Other conditions that can look like epilepsy include fainting, or very low blood sugar in some people being treated for diabetes. On this page, when we use the term 'seizure' we mean epileptic seizure.
Causes of epilepsy
Different epilepsies are due to many different underlying causes. The causes can be complex, and sometimes hard to identify. A person might start having seizures because they have inherited epilepsy from one or both parents, a new change in a person's genes, a structural change in a person's brain or changes to the brain from certain conditions.
Epilepsy facts and myths
Did you know that the Greek philosopher Hippocrates (460-377 BC) was the first person to think that epilepsy starts in the brain? Find out more interesting facts and debunked myths around epilepsy and seizures.
Epilepsy terminology
There are a number of common misconceptions surrounding epilepsy and epilepsy terminology.
Coming to terms with epilepsy
People can feel differently about their diagnosis; some people come to terms with it quickly, some take longer, and some feel that epilepsy will always be an ongoing issue for them.
Just diagnosed
This booklet was created with the help of people with epilepsy, and includes their views and experiences, and their quotes at the bottom of some of the pages. It also includes information on topics people told us they would have found helpful when they were diagnosed with epilepsy.
Associated conditions
Non-epileptic seizures and dissociative seizures
Non-epileptic seizures (NES) or dissociative seizures may look similar to epileptic seizures but they are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.This guide will help you understand what non-epileptic seizures are, what causes them, how they are diagnosed and how they can be treated.
Learning disabilities
Information about seizures and treatment for people with epilepsy and learning disability.
Epilepsy auras
An 'aura' is the term that some people use to describe the warning they feel before they have a tonic clonic seizure. An epilepsy 'aura' is in fact a focal aware seizure.
Epileptic seizures
There are many different types of epileptic seizure. Any of us could potentially have a single epileptic seizure at some point in our lives. This is not the same as having epilepsy, which is a tendency to have seizures that start in the brain.
Fundraising
By supporting our cause you can help us make a difference to the lives of 600,000 people living with epilepsy in the UK.
Epilepsy helpline
Epilepsy Society's confidential helpline is available for anyone affected by epilepsy. We welcome calls from people with epilepsy, their families and friends, as well as professionals such as doctors, nurses, care workers, teachers and employers.
Want to know more?
Order or download our what is epilepsy? leaflet:
Information produced: January 2019
For printed copies, please call our Helpline on 01494 601 400. Please note - we require a purchase order for bulk orders.
