Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide

by John M. Freeman MD, Eileen P. G. Vining MD, Diana J. Pillas

"This remarkable book has been empowering parents with vital information for more than ten years, and the new edition promises to do the same. It is committed to making parents active partners in their children's care and will be a vital resource for families everywhere."―Eric R. Hargis, President and CEO, Epilepsy Foundation Winner of the 1991 National Book Award from the Epilepsy Foundation of America The award-winning Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood is the standard resource for parents in need of comprehensive medical information about their child with epilepsy. Now in its third edition, this highly praised book has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in childhood, including the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children who either do not respond to traditional drug therapy or who suffer intolerable side effects from medications. In addition to providing up-to-date information about new diagnostic techniques as well as new drugs, diet, and surgical treatments, the authors have included a chapter addressing routine health care for children with epilepsy and a new chapter on complementary and alternative therapies. Also new to this edition are discussions of the progress made in the evaluation for surgery, a chapter on insurance issues, and a section detailing additional resources. "No child's life should be defined by seizures. If we understand how the brain works, what happens during seizures, and how to cope with epilepsy, we can overcome the mythology of epilepsy and fight society's prejudices, allowing every child with epilepsy to reach his or her full potential."―From Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Medicine, Parenting

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Julie Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my son was diagnosed with epilepsy earlier this year, his neurologist recommended this title. I would have considered myself a reasonably informed parent, having done research after my son's first seizure, but this book, now in it's third edition, gave a fantastic one-stop, comprehensive look at epilepsy and seizures. It addressed almost every question I had and brought up many perspectives I hadn't thought about. It's not light reading by any means, but I found it enlightening and easily understood.

[Marcus Lee]

My sister got me this book from the UMMC library after my son Manning was born in June 1997 with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. I had read it by the time he was a couple of months old, and event though he had not exhibited infantile spasms yet, I had the gut feeling that he would.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very helpful in understanding about my daughter's new epilepsy diagnosis. More info here than I've received from the neurologist. Highly recommended for those of you who are beginning this journey.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was very well done. Things were explained in an easy-to-understand, straightforward yet comforting manner. It did cross my mind that this book would be most helpful right away after a first seizure or diagnosis. I wish I would have had it in the hospital when we were trying to wrap our heads around what was going on.

I did not finish the book as I had soaked in what was pertinent to me right now in the first several chapters and did not need to read about surgery options or life for the older child yet. If/when those things become important I would certainly look to this book again for information. I hope they continue to update it - I read the 2002 edition and some of the medications they said were not approved for use in children (or even in the U.S.) are now being widely used.

My one gripe was that they seemed to repeat the same information multiple times, which is fine if you're using the book as a reference guide but a little tedious if you're reading it straight through.

[Amanda Mastran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good guide for parents, teachers, and other caregivers who are unfamiliar with childhood epilepsy. This book was recommended to me by a mother of a young girl with epilepsy. She said that she found it very helpful when she was first trying to learn about her daughter's diagnosis.

The text gives an overview of the causes, symptoms, and treatments of epilepsy. It also discusses many specific childhood seizure disorders and describes different seizure types.

[Noriko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read some medical books such as seizures and epilpsy so I started to read the book written in English.
It is not easy for me to understand some vocabulary in English because I am Japanese. However, it is very useful for me to understand what epilepsy is or it is good to get information about epilepsy among worldwide instead of Japan only.
I understood the seizures and epilepsy from the book. It makes me relax because I have 2 children with e.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource book for parents of children with epilepsy. We read this book cover to cover. It guided our questions and discussions with our son's doctors and lead us to courses of treatment we might not otherwise have understood or tried as soon.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about seizures and Epilepsy. I read this book because my son was just diagnosed with Epilepsy and I think this is a great book to arm yourself with knowledge when dealing with doctors and such! Excellent book!!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very informative, written with tenderness.

[Maren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information provided in this book...more information than I needed! I skipped parts that were not relevant to the type of epilepsy that I was interested in.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trust me, I wouldn't bother reading this if I didn't have a child with a seizure disorder. Rather boring, but very informative!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a godsend when our daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best overall depth in a single book so far. Definitely written for parents---the most helpful in that aspect so far as well.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you had any questions, this would be your go to guide. Wish I read it first instead of after several less helpful books.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clearly written, helped answer questions I had. I like that it was a guide written for parents, helped when reading through things.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an updated version of this book. It was like my bible in the early days after my child's diagnosis.

[Erin V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information presented in a positive, hopeful manner.