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Seizure Disorder, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits Seizure disorder, also known as epilepsy, is a chronic disorder that is distinguished by unprovoked seizures. An epileptic seizure is caused by electrical neuronal activity. Seizure disorder is one of the most serious neurological disorders, affecting nearly 50 million people throughout the world at one time or another. Epilepsy cannot be cured, though it can usually be controlled with medication or in severe cases, surgery. Although the majority of people can control their symptoms and seizures through medication, there are still an estimated 30 percent who cannot control their seizures, even with medication. An epileptologist is a doctor who specializes in epilepsy. The study of seizures is a part of neuroscience and treatment is a subspecialty of neurology. An epileptic seizure is usually marked by a change in mental state and muscle convulsions caused by abnormal neuronal brain activity. Epilepsy is classified in five different ways: first cause (etiology) observable manifestations of the seizures (semiology), location of the brain they originate, discrete yet identifiable medical syndromes and by the event that triggers them. Although seizure disorder or epilepsy is marked by unprovoked seizures, there are still ‘triggers’ that may cause the seizure to be brought on. These triggers are obviously harmless activities that should not bring about a seizure in the general public, such as reading or flashing lights. If a seizure is due to something such as a head injury or withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, it not considered an epileptic seizure. Seizure disorder normally happens in a spontaneous way, though environmental factors can increase the chances in someone with known epilepsy. Some of these factors are: sleep deprivation, illness, alcohol or drug consumption, strobe lights, menstruation, constipation and the transition between being asleep and being awake, called hypnagogia. Even though many people think that flashing lights are the most common environmental trigger for an epileptic, it is estimated that only 2-14 percent of epileptics are triggered by flashing lights. There are many causes of epilepsy, though a particular cause has not been definable. Some of the known causes are: abnormalities in the nervous system, genetic factors, cerebral palsy, brain lesions, repeated exposure to toxins and mutations in genes. There are many different seizure types and seizure syndromes. Symptoms may range depending on the type, but the most common symptoms are loss of consciousness, sporadic jerking movements, convulsions, muscle rigidity muscle stiffness) and loss of muscle tone. Diagnosis requires repeated seizures and is based on medical history. There are many different tests that can be used to determine epilepsy, such as an EEG (electroencephalography) which records a patient’s brain activity or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) which allows detailed imaging of the brain. There are many different types of brain monitoring and imagine technologies used to discover epilepsy. Treatment for seizure disorder can be varied, though the most common form of treatment is through anticonvulsant drugs. There are many different types and the type prescribed will depend upon many factors. If medications do not help, epilepsy surgery may be an option. If you are in the presence of an epileptic seizure the proper way to respond is to dial 9-1-1 and simply keep them from self-injury (sharp edges, etc.) and if possible, roll them on their side so that they are able to breathe properly. One thing that should be mentioned is that putting something in one’s mouth to keep them from swallowing their tongue should NEVER be done. They cannot swallow their tongue, the worst they can do it bite it and the chances of that happening are higher if something is placed within their mouth. 
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