What is epilepsy?

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What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a common serious neurological condition where there is a tendency to have seizures that start in the brain. Epilepsy is usually only diagnosed after a person has had more than one seizure.

Not all seizures are due to epilepsy. Seizures can happen for many different reasons, such as diabetes or a heart condition. Here, when we use the term 'seizure' we mean epileptic seizure.

More than half a million people in the UK have epilepsy, which is around 1 in 100 people. Anyone can develop epilepsy: it happens in all ages, races and social classes. Epilepsy is most commonly diagnosed in children and people over 65. There are over 40 types of epilepsy, so just knowing that a person ‘has epilepsy’ does not tell you very much about their epilepsy and the type of seizures they have.

Seizures

There are lots of different types of seizures. Find out more about types of seizures.

Triggers

For some people with epilepsy, triggers (such as stress or tiredness) can bring on a seizure.

Back2Basics articles

Detailed articles first published in our members' magazine, Epilepsy Review.

Causes of epilepsy

There are many potential reasons why someone may develop epilepsy. However, causes of epilepsy can be put into three groups.

Epilepsy - did you know?

Facts about epilepsy.

What is epilepsy?

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