Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age, at any time.
Epilepsy is not a disease, a form of mental illness, or a sign of low
intelligence.
Epilepsy is not contagious.
In 60% of cases, the cause of epilepsy is unknown. Head trauma, infections,
or a neurological disorder can be involved. Sometimes, heredity also plays a
role.
Anyone with a brain can have a seizure.
The Truth About Seizures
A seizure usually lasts between a few seconds and a few minutes.
You cannot swallow your tongue during a seizure — never place an
object in the mouth of someone having a seizure!
Epilepsy usually can be treated effectively, most often with medications and
sometimes with special diets or surgery.
Many people with epilepsy can achieve control of their seizures.
1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime
The Impact of Epilepsy
3.4 million Americans are living with epilepsy.
[Zack MM, Kobau R. National and state estimates of the numbers of adults and
children with active epilepsy — United States, 2015. MMWR.
2017;66:821–825.]
1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
[Institute of Medicine (US). Committee on the Public Health Dimensions of the
Epilepsies; England MJ, Liverman CT, Schultz AM, Strawbridge LM, Epilepsy across
the spectrum: Promoting health and understanding. Washington: National Academies
Press; 2012.]
50 million people worldwide are living with epilepsy.
[Epilepsy: a public health imperative. Geneva: World Health Organization;
2019.]
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