Recovery & Support for Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders

Specialists at NYU Langone’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offer continuous medical care for adults with all types of epilepsy and seizure disorders, as well as for children with epilepsy. Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis or have had epilepsy for many years, the experts at the center provide a variety of support services.

Medication Management

Many people who have epilepsy or seizure disorders must take medication for several months to years, some for a lifetime. NYU Langone doctors closely monitor responses to medication to minimize side effects and reduce seizures.

You may have follow-up visits with your neurologist several times over the course of three to six months or longer after diagnosis. People who need to take medication for the rest of their lives have long-term follow-up visits.

People with epilepsy may also experience depression or anxiety. Our team can offer referrals or medication to help you manage these conditions.

Women’s Epilepsy Program

The Women’s Epilepsy Program at NYU Langone manages the needs of women with epilepsy. Physicians at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center collaborate with a woman’s primary care physician, obstetrician or gynecologist, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care.

Women referred to the program—whether for diagnosis, treatment, or both—are seen by several specialists at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center who pay close attention to the issues each woman faces in regard to epilepsy, such as during pregnancy and with bone health, mental health, and sexuality.

Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures

Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures, or FACES, is a nonprofit organization within the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Its mission is to fund epilepsy research and to foster education, awareness, and community support for children, families, and caregivers.

FACES offers a variety of support services for people receiving care at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. These include everything from free housing for people receiving treatment to educational workshops and support groups for those who have epilepsy and their families.

Nutritional Counseling

Registered dietitians are part of the treatment team at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. They provide nutrition therapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings and advise people with epilepsy about dietary therapies that may help control seizures.

Integrative Therapies

People with epilepsy whose seizures are not fully controlled by antiepileptic medications or surgery may want to consider integrative therapies, which include the use of supplements, as well as relaxation therapy, biofeedback, and acupuncture.

Relaxation Therapy and Biofeedback

Relaxation therapy involves a variety of strategies to reduce stress, such as breathing techniques and hypnosis. Biofeedback involves learning to control bodily functions that are not usually voluntary. These techniques can promote relaxation by reducing tension in facial muscles, for instance, and by helping you to breathe at a slower rate.

Relaxation therapy and biofeedback may improve seizure control in some people by helping them to reduce stress levels and control hyperventilation, or rapid breathing.

Clinical Trials

Adults with epilepsy may benefit from participating in clinical trials. During a clinical trial, promising new medications, medical devices, or other treatments are evaluated in scientifically controlled settings. These studies are required for regulatory approval of new therapies, which allows them to be used by everyone who has epilepsy.

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center maintains an active research program dedicated to investigating new diagnostic methods and medications that could prove helpful for treating epilepsy. You and your doctor can discuss whether a clinical trial is a good option for you.