From Library Journal
Epilepsy, a common chronic disorder, is characterized not only by recurrent seizures, but also by lifelong medical and psychosocial complications. People with epilepsy are not homogeneous; medically they present a disorder of infinite variety, and unfortunately they may face formidable problems. Richard, who has controlled her seizures without drugs for 15 years, and Reiter, a neurologist, suggest medical and self-help techniques that can help ease or control suffering, including biofeedback, psychotherapy, nutrition, relaxation, exercise, stress reduction, and journal keeping. The authors also rightly note that these suggestions do not replace professional health services. Recommended for consumer health collections.- James Swanton, Albert Einstein Coll. of Medicine Lib., Bronx, New YorkCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

ANNOTATION

Recognizing warning signals/ antiepileptic drugs/relaxing exercises/nutritional concerns.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This book is a unique collaboration between a gifted writer with epilepsy and a skilled physician who has brought new insight into the treatment of this condition.

At the age of twenty-six, when Adrienne Richard was seven months pregnant, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. For years she took anticonvulsant drugs to control her seizures, but she wanted to wean herself from the powerful drugs if she could. During the first ten years without medication she had only one seizure. Her goal was to live seizure-free.

Ms. Richard practiced yoga, biofeedback, and mind/body techniques in the eighties to help her reach that goal. While writing an article for a magazine based in California, she learned of Dr. Joel Reiter, who was exploring epilepsy self-care in his clinical practice and through his groundbreaking research.