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The Impact of Epilepsy on Quality of Life

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Changes in the Brain

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological conditions. The impact of epilepsy extends well beyond the direct effects of seizures and includes a number of challenges, which may lead to disability and severely reduced quality of life. People with epilepsy can face diminished social support and family function, cognitive challenges, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and stigmatization. In addition, those with epilepsy also report more difficulty in employment, lower annual incomes, and physical limitations. It is important to understand and to work to improve quality of life for people with epilepsy. This chapter reviews epilepsy as a syndrome (causes, incidence), specific effects of epilepsy on quality of life, methods for assessing quality of life, and treatment to improve the lives of people diagnosed with epilepsy.

Authors of this article were supported, in part, by Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES). The authors would like to thank Mr. Richard Shane for sharing his personal experience with epilepsy by writing the vignettes included in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Linnea Vaurio Ph.D., Stella Karantzoulis Ph.D., ABPP & William B. Barr Ph.D., ABPP

  2. The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Military Family Clinic, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Linnea Vaurio Ph.D.

  3. Clinical Neuropsychologist, The Center for Cognitive Neurology, 145 East 32nd Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Stella Karantzoulis Ph.D., ABPP

Authors
  1. Linnea Vaurio Ph.D.
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  2. Stella Karantzoulis Ph.D., ABPP
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  3. William B. Barr Ph.D., ABPP
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Correspondence to Linnea Vaurio Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, New Jersey, USA

    Nancy D. Chiaravalloti

  2. Department of Occupational Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, New York, USA

    Yael Goverover

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Vaurio, L., Karantzoulis, S., Barr, W.B. (2017). The Impact of Epilepsy on Quality of Life. In: Chiaravalloti, N., Goverover, Y. (eds) Changes in the Brain. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-98188-8_8

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