Epilepsy is a common neurological condition, yet it remains widely misunderstood. For many, the word “epilepsy” brings to mind dramatic convulsions or outdated stereotypes. Epilepsy is actually a complex condition that can look very different from person to person. With the right care, many patients are able to live full, active lives.
At White Plains Hospital, the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is built around education, compassion, and advanced treatment options, offering hope to patients and families navigating this often-challenging diagnosis.
What Is Epilepsy — and What It Isn’t
Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures don’t always involve shaking or loss of consciousness. Some may appear as brief staring spells, unusual sensations, sudden confusion, or changes in behavior or awareness that last only seconds.
Epilepsy can affect anyone at any age. Some people are born with a predisposition, while others develop epilepsy later in life due to head injury, stroke, infection, autoimmune conditions, or inflammation of the brain. Importantly, epilepsy does not mean a person is intellectually disabled, and it does not define who they are or what they are capable of achieving.
Because seizures don’t always look the way people expect, many go unrecognized for years. Even individuals with medical backgrounds are sometimes surprised to learn that symptoms they’ve witnessed are actually seizures. Increasing awareness and understanding is a critical first step toward proper diagnosis and care.
When Seizures Are Hard to Control
Many people with epilepsy achieve good seizure control with medication. However, some patients continue to have seizures despite trying multiple treatments. This is known as refractory or drug-resistant epilepsy, and it requires a higher level of specialized care.
White Plains Hospital is designated as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), the highest level recognized for epilepsy care. This means the program is equipped to evaluate and treat the most complex cases, including those that may benefit from advanced therapies.
“Epilepsy affects a person’s entire life,” says Simona Proteasa, MD, EMBA, director of Comprehensive Epilepsy at White Plains Hospital. “Our goal is to treat the whole patient, not just the diagnosis. That means educating patients and families, reducing stigma, and offering individualized care so people can live fully and safely with epilepsy.”
Advanced, Team-Based Epilepsy Care
The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at White Plains Hospital takes an integrated, team-based approach. Care is led by epilepsy specialists and supported by a multidisciplinary team that may include neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists, social workers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and case managers.
When appropriate, advanced treatment options may include:
- Thorough pre-surgical evaluations to reduce risk and preserve memory, language, and cognitive function
- Minimally invasive epilepsy surgery, including laser-based techniques
- Neurostimulation therapies that help regulate abnormal brain activity
Equally important is long-term support, as epilepsy can affect more than just the brain. The White Plains Hospital team works closely with patients and families to provide education, manage side effects, and ensure continuity of care both in the hospital and through outpatient follow-up.
If you or a loved one has experienced unexplained episodes, seizures, or have epilepsy that requires more than one anti-seizure medication to control, or if you experience side effects from your medications, specialized care is available close to home at White Plains Hospital. To learn more about the Epilepsy Program or to request an evaluation, visit wphospital.org/neuro or call 914-849-5300.
Dr. Simona Proteasa is Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy at White Plains Hospital.
The original version of this article was published in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.
