Social Epileptology: Understanding Social Aspects of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is neither an illness nor a disease, but a brain disorder, frequently associated with neurological and psychosocial difficulties. It is not a purely neurological phenomenon and it requires a juxtaposition of both the neurological and sociological components to elucidate the unexplored dimensions of this disorder. Although clinical, neurological, biological, psychiatric and even therapeutic aspects of epilepsy have been fairly consistently reviewed, relatively little is known about psychosocial aspects of this condition. Social research into epilepsy has been a shadow-dweller for too long and a publication on these lines is long overdue. This book fills a gap in the literature in social context of epilepsy. The main objective of this book is to advance our understanding of social aspects of epilepsy; to encourage further research that draws on reported studies in epilepsy; to introduce the targeted audiences to applied social research into epilepsy and to illustrate the benefits of such research for health policy change & practice. This book demonstrates the significance of social aspects of epilepsy by presenting a series of articles on topics that have not largely been discussed in neurological circles. Thematically, this volume focuses on psychosocial context of epilepsy with particular emphasis on social context of the disorder.