Secrecy and Safety

<p><b>A history of epilepsy and the work required to manage it.</b></p><p>In the middle of the twentieth century medical advancements like anticonvulsant drugs and electroencephalograms promised new possibilities for managing seizures. At the same time people with epilepsy were navigating a complex medical landscape and enduring social prejudice. In <i>Secrecy and Safety</i> historian Rachel Elder presents a deeply researched history of epilepsy and the stories of individuals grappling with the dual burden of living with an unpredictable condition and concealing it to avoid stigma. <br /> <br />While new treatments offered the hope of control the era's emphasis on personal responsibility reinforced a culture of secrecy around disability. Epilepsy became an invisible condition--manageable in public life but requiring constant vigilance and self-regulation. This thought-provoking study examines case studies that reveal how postwar beliefs about control and normalcy shaped perceptions of disability and identity. Rooted in rich historical research <i> Secrecy and Safety </i>is the first comprehensive examination of epilepsy during this pivotal period. <br /> <br />By examining the societal pressures placed on individuals to perform health and manage risk Elder offers a compelling lens through which to understand broader questions of autonomy visibility and belonging in modern America. <i>Secrecy and Safety</i> reconsiders the narratives that define chronic illness and the enduring quest for control in the face of uncertainty.</p>