Secrecy and Safety: A Cultural History of Seizures in Modern America

A history of epilepsy and the work required to manage it. 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 Secrecy and Safety, 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. 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, Secrecy and Safety is the first comprehensive examination of epilepsy during this pivotal period. 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. Secrecy and Safety reconsiders the narratives that define chronic illness and the enduring quest for control in the face of uncertainty.