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Treatment of Epilepsy - Non-Drug Therapy

Unfortunately, approximately 3 out of 10 people with epilepsy will have seizures that cannot be controlled by medication. There are several treatments that can be used alongside antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or if AEDs don't work.

...we just compare notes of new treatments perhaps or alternatives to medication. She is just about to start the ketogenic diet with her son, we´re looking into Vagal Nerve Stimulation with our son and I think it´s just a matter of finding out what´s right for your child at that moment.

Julie, UK

Click on a term in the list below to see an explanation of what it means.

Psychological therapies

may be used in adults alongside AEDs, or in children with certain types of epilepsy which do not respond to treatment with AEDs. The main types of therapy are relaxation therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Both of these can be used in adults and children. Biofeedback is another type of therapy that can be used in adults. It is based on the idea that the person knows they are about to have a seizure because they get warning signs, such as a strange smell or feeling. They work with a therapist to try to find ways of delaying the seizure or even stopping it from happening.