Many people don't understand the risks associated with epilepsy and the emotional roller coaster they go through. Epilepsy is a disorder that no one knows they have. You can't look at a person and see that they have epilepsy. They want to keep it secret so that they are not excluded from activities or considered marginalized. There are many causes of epilepsy. There are many childhood disorders and different types of seizures. Epilepsy is not a mental disorder or mental illness as many people might think. Epilepsy does not affect someone's intelligence, nor does it cause any mental disability of the mind. Some people think that epilepsy is contagious. It is not contagious. In some cases epilepsy does not get worse over time, it just depends on the part of the brain affected. Epilepsy is a condition that affects a variety of mental and physical functions of the body and brain. People who have had a seizure are not necessarily epileptic. They are known as having “seizure disorders.” Seizures occur when the brain has a clutter of ideas, plans and nerve cells. People with abnormal brain function have a short, slow second of consciousness. People all over the world are affected by epilepsy. 2.2 million Americans suffer from epilepsy. Doctors and researchers say that 2.2 million is only half of a broad range of 1.3 to 2.8 million people with epilepsy. Around the world, approximately 65 million people are affected by epilepsy in some way during their lives. There are a few ways to treat or reduce epilepsy/seizures. Medication and even surgery have been found to be very effective. Epilepsy can prevent people from achieving at school, work, and home if seizures go uncontrolled. Epilepsy and seizures can affect all ages... half of the article... 1st ed. 1. Baltimore, Maryland: American Academy of Neurology, 2007. xi-143. Print.6. Parker, Vic. I know someone who suffers from epilepsy. 1st ed. 1. Chicago, Illinois: Heinemann Library, 2011. 4-26. Print.7. Peters, Tim. The human brain. 1st ed. 1. East Hanover, New Jersey: Novartis, 2006. 8-18. Print.8. “Quick facts.” Purple Day. Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia. Network. 25 October 2013. .9. Ruffner, Peter. Childhood diseases and disorders. 3rd ed. 3. Galva, Illinois: Omnigraphics, Inc, 2012. 68-70. Print.10. Swaner, Nic. “15 Fascinating Facts About Epilepsy.” 15 Fascinating Facts About Epilepsy-Listverse. (2012): 1-6. Press. .11. Stephens, Stefania. "Hope for mothers with epilepsy." Watch out for therapy. June 2013: 36-37. Press.