1. Anticonvulsants work through various mechanisms such as enhancing GABA inhibition, blocking sodium and calcium channels, and reducing glutamate-mediated excitation. 2. Epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorder and is classified as partial or generalized seizures depending on where neural discharges start and spread. 3. Common anticonvulsants like phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and valproate work through different mechanisms like sodium channel blockade but can have side effects and drug interactions.