This definition on the meaning of "epilepsy" comes directly from Webster:

any of various disorders marked by disturbed electrical rhythms of the
central nervous system and typically manifested by convulsive attacks
usually with clouding of consciousness

So anyone with disturbed electrical rhythms regardless of source or
manifestation fits under the epilepsy umbrella... at least according to
Webster :-)

G'day barb
that sounds just about right on the money to me. my father had a couple of
seizures after he had a stroke but it's been two years since then and he
hasn't had any more seizures (and doesn't take aed's) so you hardly class
him as having epilepsy.
so where as in this excerpt from webster's dictionary says:-
"any of various disorders marked by disturbed electrical rhythms of the
central nervous system and typically manifested by convulsive attacks
usually with clouding of consciousness"
it doesn't differentiate between someone who may suffer a seizure due to a
trauma to the head or a medical condition as opposed to those of us who are
permanently afflicted with the condition.
pablo

Dawn wrote
 I read on one site that epilepsy is defined as having any kind of
 seizure disorder.  Do you all agree about this?  I just want your
 opinions, not what doctors would say.  Usually, if I tell someone I have
 seizures, they automatically classify me as epileptic.  How do you all
 feel about this also?

G:  Below is an Extract from a Post I did about a month ago.  Except for
'Howdy Dave's'  Website (usually follow one of his posts), these ones from
Idaho give a good description (under the First Aid Charts) of what several
of the most common seizure types 'look like'.

  Within the Idaho site, or via Dave's site if you still have some of his
Posts up, there's a link to the Ep. Foundation of America, or try
http://efa.org

  Julie's site (Idaho), and Howdy Dave's have more detail on information
about epilepsy **from a **patient's point of view.**
 The EFA site has detailed information Plus a Medications Glossary if
you've been prescribed anything for the type of seizure you have.   The
Medication Description will describe which seizure types (sometimes more
than one) that it is commonly Prescribed For.   You might find your 'type'
there if you have something prescribed.  (This will ALSO reduce time spent,
reading Search Sites or other sites, about Seizure Types that don't apply TO
YOU.)

  If you've been given a Name for the type you might have, it would help.
Alternatively you might be able to tell which type you are having, from the
Symptoms others might witness, under the First Aid Chart which describes
some symptoms that are different or specific for some of the more common
seizure types.
   Others will post later, likely after the weekend is over.  (Schools are
out in Canada, not sure about U.S. so some of the regulars might be away for
the weekend.)

 Older post I did (extract) [Comments at top were more specific to the
person I replied to then]  /G. -->

There are a number of sites around the group that get posted from time to
time.  Some of the symptoms (at bottom) that you might see, might be
displayed on one of the First Aid for Seizures Websites below -- likely to
first 'seizure' one.   If you look down the first aid chart, I think it
shows 3 or 4 main types of seizures down one column, then the types of
things that can be done.
  Under the Symptoms or Sensations columns are the types of  'aura' or
sensation that might be specific to a particular seizure type.   That is
usually used by a Doctor at first to identify possible location where the
seizure is Launching From.  Then further tests (EEG, MRI, CT)  might look at
more detailed internals.
  For *your use, all you likely need is the chart, and the Symptoms with
the First Aid for whichever type most closely matches what he has.
  NOTE - within Julie's Idaho Main website, and on Howdy Dave's there are
links to the Ep. Foundation of America that has a Medications Glossary and
more detail on specific seizure types that you can search out at your own
pace. I also included the one entrance at bottom below.
  Also some of the minor seizures that don't result in loss of
consciousness, might be grouped under either 'absences' (if a person appears
to 'zone out' for short periods),  or simple partials (that might just
include an Aura then a return to normal.   *If someone has been having these
for a long time, these *might seem like the New Normal for them so they may
not be Aware that those are an Aura.  OR they might prefer to 'not see them'
for what they are.  //

***********************************************************
 Each of the sites can be put on a Bookmark or Favourite so that you can
then refer back to see if there are updates without needing to remember the
www address each time. hth. G.R.
**********
 For anyone who hasn't seen these already -->
The General Site that Julie operates for Epilepsy Idaho group is at:
http://www.epilepsyidaho.org .

The 'First Aid chart' I frequently refer to can be located by entering and
wandering about site above, but can be reached direct at
http://www.epilepsyidaho.org/seizure.htm  .
 There's a Second topic added about 4 months ago that goes more into First
Aid in Water, on Aircraft, etc.  It's at
http://www.epilepsyidaho.org/seizure2.htm  .

 Also accessible from top site, but more detail on Learning about Epilepsy
can be found at http://www.epilepsyidaho/learn.htm   .  That one has quite a
few more links, information on kids newly diagnosed? (I think) and general
questions that others might ask, or those newly diagnosed.

  If there's no link there to a Medications Glossary, the Ep. Foundation of
America has one (of several)  within http://efa.org   .        G./