What is epilepsy?

The term ‘epilepsy’ comes from a Greek word that means to be 'taken', 'seized' or 'attacked'.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that makes people susceptible to seizures. This is due to a sudden, excessive electro-chemical discharge of the brain cell that leads to a seizure.

A seizure is a change in sensation, awareness or behaviour brought about by a brief electrical disturbance in the brain. Seizures vary from a momentary disruption of the senses, to short periods of unconsciousness or staring spells, to convulsions.

Some people just have one type of seizure while others have more than one type of seizures. Some very young children have convulsions when there is a sudden rise in their body temperature and this is called a 'febrile convulsion'. This is not classified as epilepsy.