What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system resulting in seizures that may have no apparent cause and that happen more than once. A seizure is a brief disruption of electrical activity in the brain that affects other brain functions. Epilepsy is not a mental illness, a sign of mental retardation, nor is it contagious. Having epilepsy can alter a person's life, however, because it is impossible to know when the next seizure will happen. This can cause problems at school, holding a job or getting a driver's license. People with epilepsy may also face discrimination from others who sometimes do not understand what is happening during a seizure.