S.E.E. Library

S.E.E. Library

Information about epilepsy

Robert J. Mittan, Ph.D.

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		the S.E.E. program

	Information About Epilepsy

	New! Animations explaining seizures

The S.E.E. program library contains information about epilepsy taken from the S.E.E. program or information contributed by Dr. Robert Mittan. Please click on the link in order to bring up a copy of the information sheet or article. These pieces are in Adobe Acrobat format. Physicians, Epilepsy Specialty Centers, Epilepsy Associations and other Medical Practices, Governmental or Community Groups must request permission to copy these files and / or distribute this information to their clients or patients. Permission will be granted (at no cost) if they register their request. Please complete our Permission Request Form and click on “Submit” at the bottom of the form. Permission for personal use only is granted without need to complete the Permission Request Form. “Beating Bad Seizures” Your child has epilepsy and you are struggling to get the seizures under control. What can you do? This three article series gives you information on how you can “Beat Bad Seizures.” This series was published in Exceptional Parent magazine in June through August 2005. Part 1: Diagnostic Aspects explains how important the right diagnosis is to the successful treatment of epilepsy. Often the diagnosis depends on the parents’ description of their child’s seizures. However parents are seldom taught about different seizure types and exactly what to look for and what to report to the doctor. This article describes different kinds of seizures, different kinds of seizure disorders, and what to look for during seizures. It describes the growing collection of medical diagnostic techniques. You will learn whether your child needs more diagnostic work and which approaches might help. Getting the diagnosis right can mean the difference between having seizures and becoming seizure free. (Permission Request to distribute this article series.) Part 2: Treatment Approaches explains different treatment approaches that can be used to control seizures. Medications are the first to come to mind. Both the old and new medications are described in this article. Managing medications is discussed in considerable detail, including information about blood levels and common side effects. Other important treatments such as surgery, brain stimulation, and lifestyle changes are also explained. A new approach, the genetic treatment of epilepsy, is explained as a possible future option. Avoiding side effects from treatment is as important a consideration in treatment as seizure control. This article helps you understand how to get maximum seizure control with minimum side effects. (Permission Request to distribute this article series.) Part 3: Putting It All Together Effective treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. The first article helps parents achieve that first goal. Once the diagnosis is known, the challenge is treatment. Building on the second article on Treatment Approaches, this article considers how parents can begin to figure out which treatments are best for their child, including ones they had not thought of before. This article includes a checklist of things you can do to deal with difficult to control seizures. If seizures still remain a problem, parents are given practical suggestions on what else they can do to get better control and how they can find an epilepsy specialist or treatment center. (Permission Request to distribute this article series.) Upcoming: “Beating Bad Seizures” will be available in Spanish. Please look for this release in the next three months. “Raising a Kid with Epilepsy” How can you raise a child with epilepsy to be a successful and confident adult? That is what this three article series is all about. The series was published in Exceptional Parent magazine in their October through December 2005 magazines. Part 1: Coping with Fear talks about the real problem with epilepsy. When you look at the actual time a child spends having seizures, most children spend 99% of their time seizure free. So why is epilepsy so devastating to parents and children alike? Fear. Fear of harm, fear of death, fear of brain damage, and fear of when the next seizure might occur. This article talks about how parents can overcome the fear of epilepsy to get their own emotional life back and to raise a more successful child with epilepsy. This article is filled with practical advice for overcoming fear and supporting your child’s successful development. Find this article in the October 2005 issue of Exceptional Parent magazine. (Permission Request to distribute this article series.) Part 2: Coping with Stigma explains the many stigmas epilepsy carries and how they affect the way you feel as a parent and the way your child develops. Stigma is a major problem in epilepsy, but its real source might be surprising to you. Stigma can strongly affects a child’s self-esteem and competency. This article uncovers the different kinds of stigma and shows how they contribute to the disability of epilepsy. The core of the article, however, is what you can do day-to-day to dispel stigma and insure your child has the best chance of growing up able and self-confident as a person and in social situations. Find this article in the November 2005 issue of Exceptional Parent magazine. (Permission Request to distribute this article series.) Part 3: Coping with Guilt explains how many parents suffer under the effects of epilepsy as greatly as their children. Guilt is a major problem parents face, including guilt over their child having epilepsy, guilt over seizures, and guilt over decisions they must make regarding medical treatment. Parents feel deeply responsible for their child having to endure medication side effects. Many are unable to decide about surgery. Guilt changes parents’ childrearing decisions, and can cause parents to do things that increase disability rather than teach ability. This article helps parents understand how guilt plays a major role in raising a child with epilepsy. It reveals the practical things parents can do to take back control so that they and their child can live happier and more successful lives. Find this article in the December 2005 issue of Exceptional Parent magazine. (Permission Request to distribute this article series.)