Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Mechanisms and New Methods for Analyzing Risks builds on earlier works focusing on the clinical problem of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This book presents a methodology for identifying and classifying clusters of risks that lead to SUDEP. Developed over the last two years, the SUDEP Classification System and Risk Factor Cluster ID method will help to address gaps in our knowledge about the causes and possible prevention of this tragic complication. Exploring the interactions among the central and peripheral autonomic nervous systems and the cardiopulmonary systems, the book includes case studies of SUDEP, definite or probable, as well as near miss cases. It discusses how neurologists, emergency room physicians, and attending physicians can identify individuals at possible risk for SUDEP and lessen the chance of occurrence. Top medical professionals in the field detail the development of an international database of human cases and animal models of SUDEP and suggest how medical examiner and coroner offices can strengthen the database by providing information about incidences of SUDEP. In addition, the book describes related clinical and animal studies needed to classify risk factors for SUDEP victims. Understanding the risk factors and mechanisms underlying SUDEP will facilitate collaborative research in the laboratory, hospital, and clinic and lead to improved effectiveness of SUDEP prevention strategies.

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Mechanisms and New Methods for Analyzing Risks builds on earlier works focusing on the clinical problem of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This book presents a methodology for identifying and classifying clusters of risks that lead to SUDEP. Developed over the last two years, the SUDEP Classification System and Risk Factor Cluster ID method will help to address gaps in our knowledge about the causes and possible prevention of this tragic complication. Exploring the interactions among the central and peripheral autonomic nervous systems and the cardiopulmonary systems, the book includes case studies of SUDEP, definite or probable, as well as near miss cases. It discusses how neurologists, emergency room physicians, and attending physicians can identify individuals at possible risk for SUDEP and lessen the chance of occurrence. Top medical professionals in the field detail the development of an international database of human cases and animal models of SUDEP and suggest how medical examiner and coroner offices can strengthen the database by providing information about incidences of SUDEP. In addition, the book describes related clinical and animal studies needed to classify risk factors for SUDEP victims. Understanding the risk factors and mechanisms underlying SUDEP will facilitate collaborative research in the laboratory, hospital, and clinic and lead to improved effectiveness of SUDEP prevention strategies.

Visions: The Inspirational Journeys of Epilepsy Advocates contains the stories of 50 people who have answered the call to advocate on behalf of those with epilepsy. They are people with epilepsy or members of their community, motivated to make a positive impact through education and awareness, empowerment, fundraising, healthcare and research, and organizational advocacy. Shining a light on well-known issues as well as rare forms of epilepsy and SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), these advocates depict their journeys through both prose and photographs. Along with stories that depict the advocates' journeys, photographs show these advocates and their work in action. Visions: The Inspirational Journeys of Epilepsy Advocates empowers people affected by epilepsy and inspires continued advocacy for what has been a misunderstood and underfunded neurological disorder.

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) can cause blackouts, collapses, involuntary movements, loss of memory and have major impact on quality of life. Whereas epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, PNES are psychological-based responses to triggers inside or outside the body that are perceived as threatening by the person affected. PNES are poorly understood by the medical community. It is common for doctors to struggle to explain this diagnosis, which can leave their patients frustrated and confused. Often people are told that their PNES are caused by "stress" and sent away with no further support or advice. It is no wonder that those affected feel isolated, abandoned and hopeless about living with the condition. In Our Words: Personal Accounts of Living with Non-Epileptic Seizures shows those diagnosed with PNES that they are not alone, and how others have courageously managed to come to terms with their seizures. These heartfelt personal accounts will also allow family, friends, healthcare providers and researchers to gain more understanding of the condition and work to provide a better quality of life to those living with PNES.

Epilepsy in our Lives presents accounts of seizures by women with epilepsy, and their experiences living with the problem and how this disorder has changed their lives. They discuss the impact of epilepsy on their roles as mothers, wives and individuals, and express their concerns about how epilepsy will affect pregnancy outcome, the health of their babies, and parenting. They share candidly how epilepsy impacts family planning, fertility and sexuality. ABOUT THE SERIES: With the Brainstorms series, one of the world's leading authorities on epilepsy, Dr Steven C. Schachter, has gathered together the personal testimonies of patients, family members, and caregivers to create a poignant and gripping series of books on this misunderstood and often devastating disorder.

Epilepsy in our View is a collection of personal stories from friends, family members, and co-workers of people with epilepsy, in which they describe their observations and feelings about witnessing seizures and about the person with epilepsy. It helps to shed light on the social consequences of epilepsy while increasing understanding of what's happening when a person has a seizure. ABOUT THE SERIES: With the Brainstorms series, one of the world's leading authorities on epilepsy, Dr Steven C. Schachter, has gathered together the personal testimonies of patients, family members, and caregivers to create a poignant and gripping series of books on this misunderstood and often devastating disorder.

Epilepsy in our Words features 68 personal accounts of seizure activity from people with epilepsy that illustrate the wide range of experiences associated with seizures and living with epilepsy. Many have had epilepsy for years, and their accounts are heartfelt and realistic. An introductory section explains epilepsy and different seizure types from a medical perspective. An index helps readers focus on particular symptoms and other specific aspects of seizures, such as seizure warnings and triggers. ABOUT THE SERIES: With the Brainstorms series, one of the world's leading authorities on epilepsy, Dr Steven C. Schachter, has gathered together the personal testimonies of patients, family members, and caregivers to create a poignant and gripping series of books on this misunderstood and often devastating disorder.

This book reveals the wide range of emotions, challenges and triumphs experienced by those who work with epilepsy patients and their families. The book also records the profound, uplifting and often heartbreaking experiences of practitioners with seizures who have come to understand, firsthand, the perspective of patients with epilepsy. ABOUT THE SERIES: With the Brainstorms series, one of the world's leading authorities on epilepsy, Dr Steven C. Schachter, has gathered together the personal testimonies of patients, family members, and caregivers to create a poignant and gripping series of books on this misunderstood and often devastating disorder.

This enlightening book presents the firsthand personal accounts of children with seizure disorders and their parents. In their own words, they vividly describe the experiences of handling the crisis of the first seizure, adjusting to the diagnosis of epilepsy, coping with seizures, managing medications and side effects, and dealing with health care providers, teachers, schoolmates, siblings, and friends. The accounts reveal the terror, uncertainty and frustration felt by children and parents after a diagnosis of epilepsy, and document the ongoing trials, tribulations and triumphs of coping with seizures, medication schedules and side effects, health care providers and hospitals, schoolmates, siblings, relatives and friends. These accounts provide realistic insights into the myriad issues encountered in living with childhood epilepsy. The book also includes a straightforward medical discussion of childhood seizures, written in layperson's terms; a glossary of medical terms; and a guide for schoolteachers and parents written by the Executive Director of the Epilepsy Association of Massachusetts. Appendices provide a directory of Epilepsy Foundation of America affiliates; a list of recommended books, publications and videotapes, and information about the Epilepsy Foundation of America's Winning Kids program. ABOUT THE SERIES: With the Brainstorms series, one of the world's leading authorities on epilepsy, Dr Steven C. Schachter, has gathered together the personal testimonies of patients, family members, and caregivers to create a poignant and gripping series of books on this misunderstood and often devastating disorder.