A person who suspects a problem but doesn't know what it is should go to a primary care doctor (pediatrician, internist, or family physician) first for evaluation. The primary care doctor may run some tests. If the doctor suspects seizures, the person probably will be referred to a neurologist, a doctor with special training in disorders of the brain, including epilepsy. Some neurologists have specific training in epilepsy and spend most of their time treating people with this disorder; they are called epileptologists. For routine treatment of epilepsy, it is usually not necessary to see an epileptologist. A consultation may be beneficial in certain circumstances, such as counseling about pregnancy and childbirth.

A person who has a big seizure is often taken by ambulance to the Emergency Room. There they are seen by an emergency physician, or possibly a neurologist, and will be referred to a neurologist for follow-up.

Topic Editor: Carl W. Bazil, M.D., Ph.D.
Last Reviewed: 3/8/04

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