In a lot of cases it is unclear why a person has epilepsy. It may be because their genes have an effect on how their brain works, as about one in three people with epilepsy have a family member who also has it.
Other possible causes of epilepsy are:
- Brain damage, for example caused by a stroke, head injury or infection
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Lack of oxygen during birth
- Problems with brain development in the womb
- Alzheimer's disease
Myths about epilepsy
It is important to note that epilepsy is not:
- Contagious
- A mental illness
- A developmental disability