Putting It All Together

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to epilepsy.

• Epilepsy is not a mental illness, and it does not cause mental illness.

• Most epilepsy can be successfully treated with medications.

• There are several different types of epileptic seizures-some are quite mild, while others are more severe.

• Epilepsy does not necessarily keep people from driving or holding a job.

• Epileptic seizures cannot be stopped by holding the person who is having the seizure. Trying to do so will only harm the person.

• Do not put anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure.

• Epilepsy is not contagious.

• Only rare forms of epilepsy are inherited.