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Epilepsy affects more than 350,000 people in the UK, but anti-epileptic medications are only effective in controlling seizures in up to 70% of those with epilepsy. Some people can also find the side effects of the drugs - which include weight gain, rashes and cognitive slowing - very difficult to cope with. It’s natural that there is huge interest in complementary and alternative treatments to supplement drug treatment, but, how can you tell which ones are safe and effective? "People with epilepsy may fall prey to unscrupulous sites offering bogus treatments when they turn to the internet for help," says Dr Baxendale. "While many of the treatments promoted on the web are unproven and ineffective, others can be positively harmful for people with epilepsy, and make seizures more likely. That’s why I wrote this book. I wanted to find out what we could suggest to help our patients when their medications weren’t working."

Epilepsy: Complementary and Alternative Treatments explores the scientific background and evidence base of 15 alternative and complementary treatments for epilepsy, ranging from homeopathy to hypnosis, chiropractic to pet therapy. Although she found some worryingly inaccurate claims made by practitioners of some of treatments, Dr Baxendale also reports some promising research to support the use of others, including aromatherapy, biofeedback and therapies aimed at stress reduction.

Dr Sallie Baxendale is an internationally recognized expert in epilepsy. She is a consultant clinical neuropsychologist at one of the leading epilepsy research centres, the Department of Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy at the Institute of Neurology, University College Hospital, London. Frequently quoted in the media, Dr Baxendale has been featured in a wide range of outlets including the BBC and The Daily Mail. Dr Baxendale has published over 40 academic papers in The Lancet, British Journal of Medicine, and Neurology, and several book chapters on aspects of epilepsy ranging from public perceptions of the disease to outcomes following surgery.

"Sallie Baxendale is a psychologist with a highly-rated international reputation for her work in epilepsy. She is one of the few authorities in the world who can write usefully on this topic. This unique and valuable book should be read by all patients who wish to explore these therapeutic avenues, and all doctors who are asked to advise on these treatments. I know of no better, clearer or authoritative text in this complex and important area."

Professor Simon Shorvon
Professor of Neurology. UCL Institute of Neurology, London

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