Even though doctors often can't pinpoint the cause, certain contributing factors have been identified. Anything that damages the central nervous system, from a brain tumor to a serious head injury like Gazaway's, can cause epilepsy. In the young, birth trauma and genetic disorders are the most common causes. Some rare forms of epilepsy are clearly hereditary. But research also suggests a child born to a parent with epilepsy may have a higher risk of developing one of the more common forms of the disorder.
Seizures can vary widely.
Some can cause hallucinations or affect motor control, making the person laugh, run or even urinate uncontrollably. During severe seizures, a person can lose consciousness, collapse to the ground and convulse violently. The frequency of seizures also varies from person to person. Some have them only every few weeks or months, while others endure hundreds a day. If I had the choice of cutting off my arm or having this, I'd cut off my arm today.