The Epilepsy Book: A Companion for Patients

This book presents scientific evidence about epilepsy along with straightforward guidance and recommendations. Responses to frequently asked questions and clarification of uncertainties are provided to empower patients to optimize their medical, psychological and social care.

This book helps mediate between patients and health care professionals and can assist both sides to understand the condition of epilepsy at all levels. The information provided in the book empowers patients to share decision making with their carers and clinicians and enables them to make informed decisions, by taking into account the best scientific evidence, as well as the patients' values and preferences.

The Epilepsy Book: A Companion for Patients is ideal for patients with epilepsy and their carers, and will also be of interest to health care professionals, medical students and teachers. Thalia Valeta's approach to epilepsy facilitates deeper understanding of the unmet needs andexpectations of patients.

Contains essential information about epilepsy for patients and family Assists patients in preparing for medical consultations, optimizing diagnosis and management Emphasizes psychosocial impact of epilepsy and psychological management Empowers patients with epilepsy to make informed decisions together with their clinicians

Autorentext
Thalia Valeta BA , MA , HPC reg , is a dramatherapist , actress and writer. She is the founder and director of ''Metamyth'' © Therapy though the Arts , a psychological treatment which she practices with people who have epilepsy and other neurological or psychiatric disorders. Her contributions also include the psychosocial issues , parental reactions and needs of children with epilepsy. She has published in significant journals and books . Thalia Valeta is an Honorary Researcher and Lecturer in St. Thomas' hospital , London and works as a therapist in the First Neurology and Psychiatry Clinic in the University of Athens . She gives ''Metamyth'' © workshops in museums and art centers internationally.

Inhalt

History of epilepsy.- General Aspects of Epilepsy.- Preparing for the medical consultation.- Epileptic seizures.- Febrile seizures.- Reflex seizures.- Epileptic syndromes and their classification.- Idiopathic generalized epilepsies.- Benign childhood focal epilepsy.- Epileptic encephalopathies.- Structural (symptomatic) focal epilepsy.- Women and epilepsy.- Mortality and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).- Investigations for epileptic seizures.- Prophylactic treatment with antiepileptic drugs.- Comorbidities in epilepsy.- Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.- Psychological treatments for epilepsy.- ''Metamyth''©/Dramatherapy.- Complementary (alternative) treatments for epilepsy.- Dietary treatments for epilepsy and ketogenic diet.- Safety in epilepsy.- Psychosocial impact of epilepsy.- Psychosocial aspects- parental reactions and needs in idiopathic focal epilepsies.- Stigma in epilepsy and how to combat it.- Websites and other resources for people with epilepsy.