What you should know if you have an epileptic seizure
Epileptic seizures occur when uncontrolled electrical impulses are produced in the brain (although there are cases where seizures have nothing to do with abnormal brain activity or epilepsy).
However, epileptic seizures can be different for everyone and only those who experience them know exactly how it feels when they occur.
In terms of the symptoms of an epileptic seizure, they have three main characteristics. They are:
- Stereotypical: each time a person has an epileptic seizure they can experience similar symptoms
- Episodic: they are not permanent, nor are they regular
- Unpredictable: they cannot be prevented
What happens during an epileptic seizure?
Once an epileptic seizure starts, there is not much you can do to stop it, but there are certain things that you should do as an onlooker, to make the seizure as harmless as possible.
So that you understand exactly what to do, we are first going to explain what actually happens during an epileptic seizure.
Although there are many types of epileptic seizures, when talking about epileptic seizures, most people think of the generalized tonic-clonic seizure (the person becomes rigid and then their body starts to make rhythmic movements). These seizures happen in three stages, which can be combined and may vary depending on the individual.
Taking into account that each person is different, we will show you some of the symptoms that may be experienced by someone having an epileptic seizure.
Initial stage of an epileptic seizure
Some people experience certain symptoms, hours or even days before a seizure starts, such as changes in mood, feelings, thoughts or behaviors, which they should share with you so that together you can be alert and take preventative measures.
Symptoms during the initial phase of an epileptic seizure
| Sensory, emotional, or cognitive | Physical |
| Déjà vu (a feeling that a person, place or thing is very familiar, when it’s not) Jamais vu (a feeling that a person, place or thing is unfamiliar, when it’s not) Aromas and smells Sounds Tastes Loss of vision or blurry vision Strange feeling Fear of anxiety Pleasant feeling Racing thoughts | Dizzy or lightheaded HeadacheNausea Strange feeling in the stomach (which usually rises to the throat) Numbness or tingling in a certain part of the body |
Middle stage of an epileptic seizure
Also known as the ictal phase, it is the period in which the seizure actually takes place. This is the stage where the abnormalities in the brain that cause the seizure occur. Occasionally, visible symptoms last longer than the electrical seizure activity in the brain.
Symptoms during an epileptic seizure
| Sensory, emotional or cognitive | Physical |
| Confusion Feeling spacey Periods of forgetfulness or memory loss Loss of hearing Feeling distracted or daydreaming Loss of consciousness (fainting) Hearing strange or different sounds Strange smells (usually bad smells like burning rubber) Strange tastes Loss of vision or blurry vision Flashing lights Visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not really there) Numbness, tingling or electric shock type feeling in the arm or leg Out of body experience Déjà vu or jamais vu Parts of the body feeling or look different Feeling of fear, panic, impending doom (that something bad is going to happen) Pleasant feelings | Difficulty speaking (may stop speaking, keep speaking, not make any sense or make strange or confused sounds) Inability to swallow or drooling Blinking repeatedly, eyes may move from one side to the other, look upward or stare blankly Lack of movement of muscle tone (unable to move, loss of tone in the neck and head, loss of tone in the body and head and body may slump forward) Shaking, twitching or jerking movements (that may occur on one or both sides of the face, arms, legs, or the whole body; may start in one area and spread to other areas or stay in one place) Stiff or tense muscles (part or all of the body may feel very tense, and if standing they may fall “like a tree trunk”) Repeated and non-purposeful movements such as: lips macking or chewing movementsrepeated and non-purposeful movements (like fiddling or playing with buttons or objects) Dressing or undressingWalking or runningRepeated purposeful movement (the person may continue activity that was happening before the seizure) Convulsion (person loses consciousness, their body goes stiff or tense, followed by fast jerking movements) Sudden loss of control of urine and stool SweatingChange in skin color (may go pale or red) Pupils may dilate or appear larger than normalBiting their tongue (from teeth clenching when muscles tighten) Difficulty breathingHeart racing |
Final stage of an epileptic seizure
Immediately after a seizure, the person enters what is known as a postictal period. For some people, recovery is very fast, while others may take longer. In this phase, the person recovers and returns to normal.
Symptoms of the initial stages of an epileptic seizure
| Sensory, emotional or cognitive | Physical |
| Confusion Drowsiness Memory loss Difficulty speaking or writing Feeling faint or nauseous Sadness, depression or bad mood Fear Anxiety Frustration, shame, embarrassment | May have injuries, like bruises, cuts, broken bones or head traumaMay feel exhausted or sleep for several hours Headache or pain in other parts of the body Feeling thirsty Nausea or stomach pain General weakness or in a certain part of the body Urgent need to go to the bathroom |
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How to help someone who is having a seizure? [H2]
If you see someone having a seizure, there are certain things you can do to help and some things you should avoid:
| What should I do? | What should I NOT do? | |
While the person is having the seizure | Look after the person so that they don’t fall or hit themselves on the ground Protect or cushion their head Put the person on their side Take off any accessories that are pulled tight around the neck, such as ties Keep calmRemove any objects that could harm the person Time the length of the seizure Look for any medical ID bracelets or accessories Stay with the person until the seizure passes | Restrict the person’s movement Put anything in the person’s mouth Give the person mouth-to-mouth Give them medication, liquids, food, etc. Panic |
| After the seizure | Give them space; keep crowds awayLet the person rest Check that they are gradually returning to normal Check if the person has injuries Clean their mouth if they are having difficulty breathing Calm the person downDecide whether or notto call emergency services | Give the person food or drink before they have completely recovered Try to move them before they have recovered completely Leave the person alone |
So now you know exactly what happens during an epileptic seizure, hopefully you understand what you can do to help if you see someone suffering from a seizure.
If someone is suffering from an epileptic seizure, should I call emergency services?
Although it can be alarming to see someone suffering from an epileptic seizure, it is rarely necessary to call the emergency services.
- If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- If they have another seizure before the person has time to recover
- If the person injured him/herself during the seizure
- If the seizure happened following a blow to the head
- If the seizure happened after inhaling gas or poison
- If the person who had the seizure is pregnant
- If after the seizure the person has problems speaking or understanding, cannot see or is unable to move a part of their body
If you found important this information about what happens and what you can do when you see someone having an epileptic seizure, why not share it with your loved ones.
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