"This book is comprehensive and up-to-date, and it can be recommended confidently to patients and families." -- May 2004 issue of Psychiatric Times"Ideal for the patient and family member who wishes to go beyond what is routinely available in patient education brochures. It is difficult to find any other publication that is so inclusive in regard to the variety of issues facing patients and family members with epilepsy." -- Medical Science Books.com"People with seizure disorders (and their families) need a source of information that is readable, reliable, and credible. This book is such a source of information -- and it does an excellent job in fulfilling this role." -- Le Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques, Volume 29, No. 4, November 2002 Vincent Van Gogh is an inspiration for all of us. His artwork -- like the beautiful sunflowers on the cover -- is a constant reminder of how he fulfilled his potential despite living with epilepsy. So can you. Epilepsy expert, Dr. Orrin Devinsky, provides an easy-to-read guide to understanding the disease so that patients can achieve -- and maintain -- a higher quality of life. This book will educate recently-diagnosed patients, as well as those who have been living with epilepsy for years. Arm your patients with reliable and factual knowledge about epilepsy, dispel uncertainties and fears, build independence, and help patients become their own advocates.Ideal for adults with epilepsy or for parents of children with the disorder, the reader will learn about: The nature and diversity of seizures. The factors that can cause seizures or help to prevent them. The risks and benefits of selected anticonvulsants. Medical and surgical therapies for seizures. Various ways diet affects seizures.