In examining the social and psychological aspects of epilepsy, the author takes not only the perspectives of individuals and their families, but also popular conceptions of the disorder. The result is an illuminating account of the social reality of epilepsy that demonstrates the distinctive contribution that the social sciences can play in understanding illness.

    Chapter 1 The medical conception of epilepsy; Chapter 2 Becoming a patient: aspects of care; Chapter 3 Lay concepts of epilepsy and stigma; Chapter 4 Strategies for coping and their effects; Chapter 5 The impact of epilepsy on family life; Chapter 6 Epilepsy, work, and disadvantage; Chapter 7 Understanding epilepsy better;

    Biography

    Graham Scambler

    `This book and others in the series promise to improve our understanding of what it means to be ill. The best medical practice must find room for that knowledge to improve the delivery of scientific advances in treatment.' - The Lancet

    ` ... this book is a valuable contribution...' - The British Journal of Psychiatry