About the Epilepsy Foundation

Te Epilepsy Foundation is the national voluntary

agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the more
than three million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and
their families. Te organization works to ensure that
people with seizures are able to participate in all life
experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy
through services, education, advocacy and research. In
addition to programs conducted at the national level,
people with epilepsy are also served by local Epilepsy
Foundation afliates across the country.
If you have any questions about epilepsy and seizure
disorders, living with epilepsy, or helping a friend
or family member who has epilepsy, please visit us
on the Web at www.EpilepsyFoundation.org or call
800-332-1000.
Our Web site has information about the disorder,
ofers opportunities to network with others touched
by epilepsy through our eCommunities forums and
Web events. You can also subscribe to our bi-monthly
magazine EpilepsyUSA. Each issue contains exciting
developments for people afected by seizure disor-
dersnew treatments and medicines, ground-break-
ing research, safety tips, personal stories, advice for
parents and much, much moreall delivered right to
your door.
Seizure Recognition
and First Aid
Epilepsy Foundations throughout the country have additional materials
and offer a variety of programs to help people understand this common disorder.
For further information about epilepsy and the name of the Epilepsy Foundation nearest you,
log on to www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call 800-332-1000.
This pamphlet is intended to provide basic information about epilepsy to the general public. It is not intended to, nor does it, constitute medical
advice. Readers are warned against changing medical schedules or life activities based on the information it contains without first consulting a physician.
300SFA 2009 Epilepsy Foundation of America, Inc.
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n a n d F i r s t A i d
W e h a v e a l m o s t t h r e e m i l l i o n r e a s o n s f o r w r i t i n g
t h i s p a m p h l e t f o r y o u . T h a t s h o w m a n y A m e r i c a n s h a v e
e p i l e p s y ( s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s ) .
Y o u m a y s e e s e v e r a l o f t h e m i n a d a y , a n d n o t e v e n
k n o w i t . P e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y l o o k j u s t l i k e e v e r y o n e
e l s e . . . e x c e p t w h e n t h e y h a v e a s e i z u r e .
E v e n t h e n y o u m i g h t n o t r e c o g n i z e w h a t y o u w e r e
s e e i n g .
Y o u m i g h t n o t k n o w t h a t t h e a c t i o n s o r m o v e m e n t s
t a k i n g p l a c e w e r e b e i n g c a u s e d b y a t e m p o r a r y m e d i c a l
c o n d i t i o n . T h a t l a c k o f k n o w l e d g e m i g h t l e a d y o u t o t a k e
a c t i o n s t h a t y o u , a n d t h e p e r s o n w i t h e p i l e p s y , m i g h t
l a t e r r e g r e t .
I f y o u a r e s o m e o n e w h o d e a l s f r e q u e n t l y w i t h t h e p u b -
l i c , a n d i f y o u h a v e n o t b e e n t a u g h t f i r s t a i d f o r s e i z u r e s ,
t h i s s h o r t s u m m a r y s h o u l d h e l p y o u r e c o g n i z e a s e i z u r e
w h e n i t h a p p e n s , a n d k n o w h o w t o g i v e b a s i c f i r s t a i d . . . i f
i t s n e e d e d .
W h a t i s E p i l e p s y ?
E p i l e p s y i s a c o m m o n n e u r o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n . I t i s t h e
g e n e r a l t e r m f o r m o r e t h a n 2 0 d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s p r o d u c e d b y b r i e f , t e m p o r a r y c h a n g e s i n t h e n o r -
m a l f u n c t i o n i n g o f t h e b r a i n s e l e c t r i c a l s y s t e m .
T h e s e b r i e f m a l f u n c t i o n s m e a n t h a t m o r e t h a n t h e u s u a l
a m o u n t o f e l e c t r i c a l e n e r g y p a s s e s b e t w e e n c e l l s . T h e s u d -
d e n o v e r l o a d m a y s t a y i n j u s t o n e s m a l l a r e a o f t h e b r a i n , o r
i t m a y s w a m p t h e w h o l e s y s t e m .
O f c o u r s e , y o u c a n t s e e w h a t s h a p p e n i n g i n s i d e a p e r -
s o n s b r a i n . B u t y o u c a n s e e t h e u n u s u a l b o d i l y m o v e m e n t s ,
t h e e f f e c t s o n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , a n d t h e c h a n g e d b e h a v i o r t h a t
t h e m a l f u n c t i o n i n g a r e a s a r e p r o d u c i n g . T h e s e c h a n g e s a r e
w h a t w e c a l l s e i z u r e s .
A s i n g l e s e i z u r e m a y b e c a u s e d b y a n u m b e r o f h e a l t h
c o n d i t i o n s . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s e , a b o u t o n e p e r s o n i n 1 0 0
h a s r e c u r r i n g s e i z u r e s , k n o w n a s e p i l e p s y . T w o o u t o f f o u r
n e w c a s e s b e g i n i n c h i l d h o o d . E p i l e p s y i n a d u l t s m a y b e t h e
r e s u l t o f h e a d i n j u r y o f t e n f r o m a u t o a c c i d e n t s o r m a y
d a t e f r o m t h e i r c h i l d h o o d y e a r s . E p i l e p s y i s n o t c o n t a g i o u s
a t a n y a g e .
R e c o g n i t i o n o f s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s a n d k n o w l e d g e o f f i r s t
a i d i s i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e i t i s v e r y e a s y t o m i s t a k e s o m e s e i -
z u r e s f o r s o m e o t h e r c o n d i t i o n .
A g e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c s e i z u r e i s a c o n v u l s i o n . B u t i t
m a y l o o k l i k e a h e a r t a t t a c k , a n d C P R t e c h n i q u e s m a y b e
u s e d w h e n t h e y a r e n o t n e c e s s a r y .
A p e r i o d o f a u t o m a t i c b e h a v i o r m a y b e i n t e r p r e t e d
a s b e i n g d r u n k o r h i g h o n i l l e g a l d r u g s . T h e f a c t t h a t
a p e r s o n u n d e r g o i n g t h i s k i n d o f s e i z u r e m a y h a v e
p h e n o b a r b i t a l ( a n a n t i e p i l e p t i c d r u g ) w i t h h i m a d d s
t o t h e c o n f u s i o n .
T y p e s o f S e i z u r e s
S e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s t a k e s e v e r a l f o r m s , d e p e n d i n g o n
w h e r e i n t h e b r a i n t h e m a l f u n c t i o n t a k e s p l a c e a n d h o w
m u c h o f t h e t o t a l b r a i n a r e a i s i n v o l v e d .
G e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c s e i z u r e s a r e t h e o n e s w h i c h
m o s t p e o p l e g e n e r a l l y t h i n k o f w h e n t h e y h e a r t h e w o r d
e p i l e p s y .
I n t h i s t y p e o f s e i z u r e t h e p e r s o n u n d e r g o e s c o n v u l s i o n s
w h i c h u s u a l l y l a s t f r o m t w o t o f i v e m i n u t e s , w i t h c o m p l e t e
l o s s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d m u s c l e s p a s m s .
A b s e n c e s e i z u r e s t a k e t h e f o r m o f a b l a n k s t a r e l a s t i n g
o n l y a f e w s e c o n d s . P a r t i a l s e i z u r e s p r o d u c e i n v o l u n t a r y
m o v e m e n t s o f a r m o r l e g , d i s t o r t e d s e n s a t i o n s , o r a p e r i o d
o f a u t o m a t i c m o v e m e n t i n w h i c h a w a r e n e s s i s b l u r r e d o r
c o m p l e t e l y a b s e n t .
S i n c e t h e s e s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s a r e s o d i f f e r e n t i n t h e i r
e f f e c t s , t h e y r e q u i r e d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f a c t i o n f r o m t h e p u b -
l i c . S o m e r e q u i r e n o a c t i o n a t a l l . T h e c h a r t o n t h e b a c k o f

t h i s p a m p h l e t d e s c r i b e s s e i z u r e s i n d e t a i l , a n d h o w t o h a n -
d l e e a c h t y p e . I t s b e e n p r o d u c e d i n t h i s f o r m t o e n c o u r a g e
p o s t i n g o n s t a f f b u l l e t i n b o a r d s o r o t h e r p l a c e s w h e r e i t c a n
e a s i l y b e s e e n b y p e o p l e w h o m e e t t h e p u b l i c .
F i r s t A i d f o r S e i z u r e s i n S p e c i a l
C i r c u m s t a n c e s
A l t h o u g h t h e c h a r t i n t h i s p a m p h l e t g i v e s i n f o r m a t i o n
o n b a s i c f i r s t a i d f o r a g e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c ( c o n v u l s i v e )
s e i z u r e , t h e r e a r e s o m e s p e c i a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h
a d d i t i o n a l s t e p s s h o u l d b e t a k e n , r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e t y p e
o f s e i z u r e .
A s e i z u r e i n w a t e r
I f a s e i z u r e o c c u r s i n w a t e r , t h e p e r s o n s h o u l d b e s u p -
p o r t e d i n t h e w a t e r w i t h t h e h e a d t i l t e d s o h i s f a c e a n d h e a d
s t a y a b o v e t h e s u r f a c e . H e s h o u l d b e r e m o v e d f r o m t h e w a t e r
a s q u i c k l y a s p o s s i b l e w i t h t h e h e a d i n t h i s p o s i t i o n . O n c e o n
d r y l a n d , h e s h o u l d b e e x a m i n e d a n d , i f h e i s n o t b r e a t h i n g ,
a r t i f i c i a l r e s p i r a t i o n s h o u l d b e b e g u n a t o n c e . A n y o n e w h o
h a s a s e i z u r e i n w a t e r s h o u l d b e t a k e n t o a n e m e r g e n c y r o o m
f o r a c a r e f u l m e d i c a l c h e c k u p , e v e n i f h e a p p e a r s t o b e f u l l y
r e c o v e r e d a f t e r w a r d s . H e a r t o r l u n g d a m a g e f r o m i n g e s t i o n
o f w a t e r i s a p o s s i b l e h a z a r d i n s u c h c a s e s . A d d i t i o n a l s a f e t y
c a n b e p r o v i d e d b y w e a r i n g a f l o t a t i o n d e v i c e .
A s e i z u r e i n a n a i r p l a n e
I f t h e p l a n e i s n o t f i l l e d , a n d i f t h e s e a t a r m s c a n
b e f o l d e d u p , p a s s e n g e r s t o t h e l e f t a n d / o r r i g h t o f t h e
a f f e c t e d p e r s o n m a y b e r e a s s i g n e d t o o t h e r s e a t s , s o t h a t
t h e p e r s o n h a v i n g t h e s e i z u r e c a n b e h e l p e d t o l i e a c r o s s
t w o o r m o r e s e a t s w i t h h e a d a n d b o d y t u r n e d o n o n e
s i d e .
O n c e c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a s f u l l y r e t u r n e d , t h e p e r s o n c a n
b e h e l p e d i n t o a r e s t i n g p o s i t i o n i n a s i n g l e r e c l i n i n g s e a t .
I f t h e r e a r e n o e m p t y s e a t s , t h e s e a t i n w h i c h t h e p e r -
s o n i s s i t t i n g c a n b e r e c l i n e d , a n d , o n c e t h e r i g i d i t y p h a s e
h a s p a s s e d , h e c a n b e t u r n e d g e n t l y w h i l e i n t h e s e a t s o
t h a t h e i s l e a n i n g t o w a r d s o n e s i d e .
P i l l o w s o r b l a n k e t s c a n b e a r r a n g e d s o t h a t t h e h e a d
d o e s n t h i t u n p a d d e d a r e a s o f t h e p l a n e . H o w e v e r , c a r e
s h o u l d b e t a k e n t h a t t h e a n g l e a t w h i c h t h e p e r s o n i s s i t -
t i n g i s s u c h t h a t h i s a i r w a y s t a y s c l e a r a n d b r e a t h i n g i s
u n o b s t r u c t e d .
A s e i z u r e o n a b u s
E a s e t h e p e r s o n a c r o s s a d o u b l e o r t r i p l e s e a t . T u r n
h i m o n h i s s i d e , a n d f o l l o w t h e s a m e s t e p s a s i n d i c a t e d
a b o v e . I f h e w i s h e s t o d o s o , t h e r e i s n o r e a s o n w h y a

p e r s o n w h o h a s f u l l y r e c o v e r e d f r o m a s e i z u r e c a n n o t s t a y
o n t h e b u s u n t i l h e a r r i v e s a t h i s d e s t i n a t i o n .
I s a n E m e r g e n c y R o o m V i s i t
N e e d e d ?
A n u n c o m p l i c a t e d c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e i n s o m e o n e w h o
h a s e p i l e p s y i s n o t a m e d i c a l e m e r g e n c y , e v e n t h o u g h i t
l o o k s l i k e o n e . I t s t o p s n a t u r a l l y a f t e r a f e w m i n u t e s w i t h -
o u t i l l e f f e c t s . T h e a v e r a g e p e r s o n i s a b l e t o c o n t i n u e a b o u t
h i s b u s i n e s s a f t e r a r e s t p e r i o d , a n d m a y n e e d o n l y l i m i t e d
a s s i s t a n c e , o r n o a s s i s t a n c e a t a l l , i n g e t t i n g h o m e .
H o w e v e r , o c c a s i o n a l l y a s e i z u r e w i l l f a i l t o s t o p n a t u r a l l y
a n d a s n o t e d e a r l i e r , t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n s
o t h e r t h a n e p i l e p s y t h a t c a n c a u s e s e i z u r e s . T h e s e i n c l u d e :
W h e n s e i z u r e s a r e c o n t i n u o u s o r a n y o f t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s
e x i s t , i m m e d i a t e m e d i c a l a t t e n t i o n i s n e c e s s a r y .
T h e f o l l o w i n g a r e s o m e s u g g e s t i o n s t o h e l p p e o p l e w i t h
e p i l e p s y a v o i d u n n e c e s s a r y a n d e x p e n s i v e t r i p s t o t h e e m e r -
g e n c y r o o m a n d t o h e l p y o u d e c i d e w h e t h e r o r n o t t o c a l l
a n a m b u l a n c e :
N o n e e d t o c a l l a n a m b u l a n c e
1 . I f m e d i c a l I . D . j e w e l r y o r c a r d s a y s e p i l e p s y .
2 . I f t h e s e i z u r e e n d s i n u n d e r f i v e m i n u t e s .
3 . I f c o n s c i o u s n e s s r e t u r n s w i t h o u t f u r t h e r i n c i d e n t .
4 . I f t h e r e a r e n o s i g n s o f i n j u r y , p h y s i c a l d i s t r e s s ,
o r p r e g n a n c y .
A n a m b u l a n c e s h o u l d b e c a l l e d
1 . I f t h e s e i z u r e h a s h a p p e n e d i n w a t e r .
2 . I f t h e r e s n o m e d i c a l I . D . , a n d n o w a y o f k n o w i n g
w h e t h e r t h e s e i z u r e i s c a u s e d b y e p i l e p s y .
3 . I f t h e p e r s o n i s p r e g n a n t , i n j u r e d , o r d i a b e t i c .
4 . I f t h e s e i z u r e c o n t i n u e s f o r m o r e t h a n f i v e m i n u t e s .
5 . I f a s e c o n d s e i z u r e s t a r t s s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e f i r s t
h a s e n d e d .
6 . I f c o n s c i o u s n e s s d o e s n o t s t a r t t o r e t u r n a f t e r t h e s h a k -
i n g h a s s t o p p e d .
I f t h e a m b u l a n c e a r r i v e s a f t e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a s r e t u r n e d ,
t h e p e r s o n s h o u l d b e a s k e d w h e t h e r t h e s e i z u r e w a s a s s o c i a t e d
w i t h e p i l e p s y a n d w h e t h e r e m e r g e n c y r o o m c a r e i s w a n t e d .
I n d i v i d u a l i z e d a i d
S o m e p e o p l e m a y r e q u i r e i n d i v i d u a l i z e d c a r e p l a n s t h a t
i n c l u d e w a y s t o t r e a t t h e p e r s o n d u r i n g a s e i z u r e . F o r e x a m -
p l e , p e o p l e w h o u s e a m a g n e t w i t h a v a g u s n e r v e s t i m u l a t o r o r
t h o s e w h o u s e s p e c i a l t y p e s o f m e d i c a t i o n t o t r e a t c l u s t e r s e i -
z u r e s w i l l r e q u i r e s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e u s e o f t h e s e t h e r a -
p i e s . T h i s i n s t r u c t i o n f a l l s o u t s i d e t h e s c o p e o f b a s i c s e i z u r e
f i r s t a i d a n d s h o u l d b e i n d i v i d u a l i z e d f o r e a c h p e r s o n .
F o r L a w E n f o r c e m e n t O f f i c e r s :
E p i l e p s y a n d D r u g s
D e s p i t e m e d i c a l p r o g r e s s , e p i l e p s y c a n n o t b e c u r e d i n
t h e s a m e s e n s e t h a t a n i n f e c t i o n c a n b e c u r e d . H o w e v e r ,
s e i z u r e s c a n b e c o n t r o l l e d c o m p l e t e l y o r s i g n i f i c a n t l y
r e d u c e d i n m o s t p e o p l e w h o h a v e t h e d i s o r d e r . T h i s c o n t r o l
i s a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h r e g u l a r , d a i l y u s e o f a n t i s e i z u r e d r u g s
c a l l e d a n t i c o n v u l s a n t s . D o s e s m a y h a v e t o b e t a k e n u p t o
f o u r t i m e s a d a y , a n d p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y t h e r e f o r e u s u a l l y
c a r r y m e d i c a t i o n w i t h t h e m . T o m i s s a s c h e d u l e d d o s e i s t o
r i s k a s e i z u r e .
M a n y m e d i c a t i o n s a r e u s e d i n t h e t r e a t m e n t o f e p i l e p s y .
M o r e t h a n o n e d r u g m a y b e p r e s c r i b e d . A m o n g t h e m a r e
p h e n o b a r b i t a l , A t i v a n ( l o r a z e p a m ) , K l o n o p i n ( c l o n a z e p a m ) ,
T r a n x e n e ( c l o r a z e p a t e ) a n d V a l i u m ( d i a z e p a m ) .
I f a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r h a s a n y d o u b t s a b o u t t h e
l e g a l i t y o f a p e r s o n s p o s s e s s i o n o f m e d i c a t i o n , t h e p h y s i -
c i a n w h o p r e s c r i b e d t h e d r u g ( o r t h e p h a r m a c y w h i c h d i s -
p e n s e d i t ) s h o u l d b e c o n t a c t e d w i t h o u t d e l a y . D e p r i v i n g a
p e r s o n w i t h e p i l e p s y o f a c c e s s t o h i s m e d i c a t i o n i s p u t t i n g
h i s h e a l t h e v e n h i s l i f e a t r i s k .
W h e n m e d i c a t i o n i s t a k e n a w a y , f o r e v e n a s l i t t l e a s s e v -
e r a l h o u r s , t h e f o l l o w i n g m a y h a p p e n :
A c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e w i t h s u b s e q u e n t i n j u r y d u e t o f a l l -
i n g o n c e m e n t f l o o r s , o r i n a c o n f i n e d a r e a .
A s e r i e s o f c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e s c a l l e d s t a t u s e p i l e p t i c u s ,
i n w h i c h t h e c o n v u l s i o n s c o n t i n u e n o n - s t o p , o r a r e
f o l l o w e d b y c o m a o r a s u b s e q u e n t s e r i e s o f s e i z u r e s .
T h e s e a r e l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g , a n d t h e m o r t a l i t y r i s k i s
h i g h u n l e s s p r o m p t t r e a t m e n t a t a p r o p e r l y e q u i p p e d
m e d i c a l f a c i l i t y i s a v a i l a b l e .
E p i s o d e s o f a u t o m a t i c b e h a v i o r , k n o w n a s c o m p l e x
p a r t i a l s e i z u r e s , i n w h i c h t h e p e r s o n , u n a w a r e o f
w h e r e h e i s o r w h a t h i s c i r c u m s t a n c e s a r e , i n j u r e s h i m -
s e l f i n u n c o n s c i o u s e f f o r t s t o e s c a p e , o r i s i n j u r e d i n
s t r u g g l e s w i t h l a w e n f o r c e m e n t p e r s o n n e l . A p e r s o n
h a v i n g t h i s t y p e o f s e i z u r e i s o n a u t o m a t i c p i l o t s o f a r
a s h i s a c t i o n s a r e c o n c e r n e d . E f f o r t s t o r e s t r a i n t h e
p e r s o n c a n i n c r e a s e a g i t a t e d b e h a v i o r .
C o u l d i t b e E p i l e p s y ?
O n l y a p h y s i c i a n c a n s a y f o r c e r t a i n w h e t h e r o r n o t a p e r -
s o n h a s e p i l e p s y . B u t m a n y p e o p l e m i s s t h e m o r e s u b t l e s i g n s
o f t h e c o n d i t i o n a n d t h e r e f o r e a l s o m i s s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r
e a r l y d i a g n o s i s a n d t r e a t m e n t . T h e s y m p t o m s l i s t e d b e l o w a r e
n o t n e c e s s a r i l y i n d i c a t o r s o f e p i l e p s y , a n d m a y b e c a u s e d b y
s o m e o t h e r , u n r e l a t e d c o n d i t i o n . H o w e v e r , i f o n e o r m o r e i s
p r e s e n t , a m e d i c a l c h e c k - u p i s r e c o m m e n d e d .
P e r i o d s o f b l a c k o u t , c o n f u s i o n o r m e m o r y l a p s e s .
O c c a s i o n a l f a i n t i n g s p e l l s i n w h i c h b l a d d e r o r b o w e l
c o n t r o l i s l o s t , f o l l o w e d b y e x t r e m e f a t i g u e .
E p i s o d e s o f b l a n k s t a r i n g i n c h i l d r e n ; b r i e f p e r i o d s w h e n
t h e r e s n o r e s p o n s e t o q u e s t i o n s o r i n s t r u c t i o n s .
S u d d e n f a l l s i n a c h i l d f o r n o a p p a r e n t r e a s o n .
E p i s o d e s o f b l i n k i n g o r c h e w i n g a t i n a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e s .
A c o n v u l s i o n , w i t h o r w i t h o u t f e v e r .
C l u s t e r s o f s w i f t j e r k i n g m o v e m e n t s i n b a b i e s .
d i a b e t e s
u n c o n t r o l l e d b l o o d s u g a r s
b r a i n i n f e c t i o n s
h e a t e x h a u s t i o n
r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t o f h i g h
f e v e r i n y o u n g c h i l d r e n
h i g h b l o o d p r e s s u r e
i n p r e g n a n c y
h e a d i n j u r y
Printed on FSC certifed paper
A b o u t t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n
T e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n i s t h e n a t i o n a l v o l u n t a r y
a g e n c y s o l e l y d e d i c a t e d t o t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e m o r e
t h a n t h r e e m i l l i o n p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y i n t h e U . S . a n d
t h e i r f a m i l i e s . T e o r g a n i z a t i o n w o r k s t o e n s u r e t h a t
p e o p l e w i t h s e i z u r e s a r e a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a l l l i f e
e x p e r i e n c e s ; a n d t o p r e v e n t , c o n t r o l a n d c u r e e p i l e p s y
t h r o u g h s e r v i c e s , e d u c a t i o n , a d v o c a c y a n d r e s e a r c h . I n
a d d i t i o n t o p r o g r a m s c o n d u c t e d a t t h e n a t i o n a l l e v e l ,
p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y a r e a l s o s e r v e d b y l o c a l E p i l e p s y
F o u n d a t i o n a f l i a t e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y .
I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s , l i v i n g w i t h e p i l e p s y , o r h e l p i n g a f r i e n d
o r f a m i l y m e m b e r w h o h a s e p i l e p s y , p l e a s e v i s i t u s
o n t h e W e b a t w w w . E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l
8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
O u r W e b s i t e h a s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e d i s o r d e r ,
o f e r s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o n e t w o r k w i t h o t h e r s t o u c h e d
b y e p i l e p s y t h r o u g h o u r e C o m m u n i t i e s f o r u m s a n d
W e b e v e n t s . Y o u c a n a l s o s u b s c r i b e t o o u r b i - m o n t h l y
m a g a z i n e E p i l e p s y U S A . E a c h i s s u e c o n t a i n s e x c i t i n g
d e v e l o p m e n t s f o r p e o p l e a f e c t e d b y s e i z u r e d i s o r -
d e r s n e w t r e a t m e n t s a n d m e d i c i n e s , g r o u n d - b r e a k -
i n g r e s e a r c h , s a f e t y t i p s , p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s , a d v i c e f o r
p a r e n t s a n d m u c h , m u c h m o r e a l l d e l i v e r e d r i g h t t o
y o u r d o o r .
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n
a n d F i r s t A i d
E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y h a v e a d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l s
a n d o f f e r a v a r i e t y o f p r o g r a m s t o h e l p p e o p l e u n d e r s t a n d t h i s c o m m o n d i s o r d e r .
F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d t h e n a m e o f t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n n e a r e s t y o u ,
l o g o n t o w w w . e p i l e p s y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l 8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
T h i s p a m p h l e t i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e b a s i c i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . I t i s n o t i n t e n d e d t o , n o r d o e s i t , c o n s t i t u t e m e d i c a l
a d v i c e . R e a d e r s a r e w a r n e d a g a i n s t c h a n g i n g m e d i c a l s c h e d u l e s o r l i f e a c t i v i t i e s b a s e d o n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i t c o n t a i n s w i t h o u t f i r s t c o n s u l t i n g a p h y s i c i a n .
3 0 0 S F A 2 0 0 9 E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n o f A m e r i c a , I n c .
Seizure Recognition and First Aid
We have almost three million reasons for writing
this pamphlet for you. Thats how many Americans have
epilepsy (seizure disorders).
You may see several of them in a day, and not even
know it. People with epilepsy look just like everyone
else . . . except when they have a seizure.
Even then you might not recognize what you were
seeing.
You might not know that the actions or movements
taking place were being caused by a temporary medical
condition. That lack of knowledge might lead you to take
actions that you, and the person with epilepsy, might
later regret.
If you are someone who deals frequently with the pub-
lic, and if you have not been taught first aid for seizures,
this short summary should help you recognize a seizure
when it happens, and know how to give basic first aid . . . if
its needed.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition. It is the
general term for more than 20 different types of seizure
disorders produced by brief, temporary changes in the nor-
mal functioning of the brains electrical system.
These brief malfunctions mean that more than the usual
amount of electrical energy passes between cells. The sud-
den overload may stay in just one small area of the brain, or
it may swamp the whole system.
Of course, you cant see whats happening inside a per-
sons brain. But you can see the unusual bodily movements,
the effects on consciousness, and the changed behavior that
the malfunctioning areas are producing. These changes are
what we call seizures.
A single seizure may be caused by a number of health
conditions. In addition to these, about one person in 100
has recurring seizures, known as epilepsy. Two out of four
new cases begin in childhood. Epilepsy in adults may be the
result of head injuryoften from auto accidentsor may
date from their childhood years. Epilepsy is not contagious
at any age.
Recognition of seizure disorders and knowledge of first
aid is important because it is very easy to mistake some sei-
zures for some other condition.
A generalized tonic clonic seizure is a con vulsion. But it
may look like a heart attack, and CPR techniques may be
used when they are not necessary.
A period of automatic behavior may be interpreted
as being drunk or high on illegal drugs. The fact that
a person undergoing this kind of seizure may have
phenobarbital (an antiepileptic drug) with him adds
to the confusion.
Types of Seizures
Seizure disorders take several forms, depending on
where in the brain the malfunction takes place and how
much of the total brain area is involved.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures are the ones which
most people generally think of when they hear the word
epilepsy.
In this type of seizure the person undergoes convulsions
which usually last from two to five minutes, with complete
loss of consciousness and muscle spasms.
Absence seizures take the form of a blank stare lasting
only a few seconds. Partial seizures produce involuntary
movements of arm or leg, distorted sensations, or a period
of automatic movement in which awareness is blurred or
completely absent.
Since these seizure disorders are so different in their
effects, they require different kinds of action from the pub-
lic. Some require no action at all. The chart on the back of

this pamphlet describes seizures in detail, and how to han-
dle each type. Its been produced in this form to encourage
posting on staff bulletin boards or other places where it can
easily be seen by people who meet the public.
First Aid for Seizures in Special
Circumstances
Although the chart in this pamphlet gives information
on basic first aid for a generalized tonic clonic (convulsive)
seizure, there are some special circumstances in which
additional steps should be taken, regardless of the type
of seizure.
A seizure in water
If a seizure occurs in water, the person should be sup-
ported in the water with the head tilted so his face and head
stay above the surface. He should be removed from the water
as quickly as possible with the head in this position. Once on
dry land, he should be examined and, if he is not breathing,
artificial respiration should be begun at once. Anyone who
has a seizure in water should be taken to an emergency room
for a careful medical checkup, even if he appears to be fully
recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion
of water is a possible hazard in such cases. Additional safety
can be provided by wearing a flotation device.
A seizure in an airplane
If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can
be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the
affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that
the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across
two or more seats with head and body turned on one
side.
Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can
be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the per-
son is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase
has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so
that he is leaning towards one side.
Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head
doesnt hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care
should be taken that the angle at which the person is sit-
ting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is
unobstructed.
A seizure on a bus
Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn
him on his side, and follow the same steps as indicated
above. If he wishes to do so, there is no reason why a

person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay
on the bus until he arrives at his destination.
I s an Emergency Room Vi si t
Needed?
An uncomplicated convulsive seizure in someone who
has epilepsy is not a medical emergency, even though it
looks like one. It stops naturally after a few minutes with-
out ill effects. The average person is able to continue about
his business after a rest period, and may need only limited
assistance, or no assistance at all, in getting home.
However, occasionally a seizure will fail to stop naturally
and as noted earlier, there are several medical conditions
other than epilepsy that can cause seizures. These include:
When seizures are continuous or any of these conditions
exist, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The following are some suggestions to help people with
epilepsy avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the emer-
gency room and to help you decide whether or not to call
an ambulance:
No need to call an ambulance
1. If medical I.D. jewelry or card says epilepsy.
2. If the seizure ends in under five minutes.
3. If consciousness returns without further incident.
4. If there are no signs of injury, physical distress,
or pregnancy.
An ambulance should be called
1. If the seizure has happened in water.
2. If theres no medical I.D., and no way of knowing
whether the seizure is caused by epilepsy.
3. If the person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic.
4. If the seizure continues for more than five minutes.
5. If a second seizure starts shortly after the first
has ended.
6. If consciousness does not start to return after the shak-
ing has stopped.
If the ambulance arrives after consciousness has returned,
the person should be asked whether the seizure was associated
with epilepsy and whether emergency room care is wanted.
Individualized aid
Some people may require individualized care plans that
include ways to treat the person during a seizure. For exam-
ple, people who use a magnet with a vagus nerve stimulator or
those who use special types of medication to treat cluster sei-
zures will require special instruction in the use of these thera-
pies. This instruction falls outside the scope of basic seizure
first aid and should be individualized for each person.
For Law Enforcement Officers:
Epilepsy and Drugs
Despite medical progress, epilepsy cannot be cured in
the same sense that an infection can be cured. However,
seizures can be controlled completely or significantly
reduced in most people who have the disorder. This control
is achieved through regular, daily use of antiseizure drugs
called anticonvulsants. Doses may have to be taken up to
four times a day, and people with epilepsy therefore usually
carry medication with them. To miss a scheduled dose is to
risk a seizure.
Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
More than one drug may be prescribed. Among them are
phenobarbital, Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam),
Tranxene (clorazepate) and Valium (diazepam).
If a law enforcement officer has any doubts about the
legality of a persons possession of medication, the physi-
cian who prescribed the drug (or the pharmacy which dis-
pensed it) should be contacted without delay. Depriving a
person with epilepsy of access to his medication is putting
his healtheven his lifeat risk.
When medication is taken away, for even as little as sev-
eral hours, the following may happen:
A convulsive seizure with subsequent injury due to fall-
ing on cement floors, or in a confined area.
A series of convulsive seizures called status epilepticus,
in which the convulsions continue non-stop, or are
followed by coma or a subsequent series of seizures.
These are life threatening, and the mortality risk is
high unless prompt treatment at a properly equipped
medical facility is available.
Episodes of automatic behavior, known as complex
partial seizures, in which the person, unaware of
where he is or what his circumstances are, injures him-
self in unconscious efforts to escape, or is injured in
struggles with law enforcement personnel. A person
having this type of seizure is on automatic pilot so far
as his actions are concerned. Efforts to restrain the
person can increase agitated behavior.
Could it be Epilepsy?
Only a physician can say for certain whether or not a per-
son has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs
of the condition and therefore also miss the opportunity for
early diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms listed below are
not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by
some other, unrelated condition. However, if one or more is
present, a medical check-up is recommended.
Periods of blackout, confusion or memory lapses.
Occasional fainting spells in which bladder or bowel
control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue.
Episodes of blank staring in children; brief periods when
theres no response to questions or instructions.
Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason.
Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times.
A convulsion, with or without fever.
Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies.
diabetes
uncontrolled blood sugars
brain infections
heat exhaustion
rapid development of high
fever in young children
high blood pressure
in pregnancy
head injury
P r i n t e d o n F S C c e r t i f e d p a p e r
A b o u t t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n
T e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n i s t h e n a t i o n a l v o l u n t a r y
a g e n c y s o l e l y d e d i c a t e d t o t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e m o r e
t h a n t h r e e m i l l i o n p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y i n t h e U . S . a n d
t h e i r f a m i l i e s . T e o r g a n i z a t i o n w o r k s t o e n s u r e t h a t
p e o p l e w i t h s e i z u r e s a r e a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a l l l i f e
e x p e r i e n c e s ; a n d t o p r e v e n t , c o n t r o l a n d c u r e e p i l e p s y
t h r o u g h s e r v i c e s , e d u c a t i o n , a d v o c a c y a n d r e s e a r c h . I n
a d d i t i o n t o p r o g r a m s c o n d u c t e d a t t h e n a t i o n a l l e v e l ,
p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y a r e a l s o s e r v e d b y l o c a l E p i l e p s y
F o u n d a t i o n a f l i a t e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y .
I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s , l i v i n g w i t h e p i l e p s y , o r h e l p i n g a f r i e n d
o r f a m i l y m e m b e r w h o h a s e p i l e p s y , p l e a s e v i s i t u s
o n t h e W e b a t w w w . E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l
8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
O u r W e b s i t e h a s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e d i s o r d e r ,
o f e r s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o n e t w o r k w i t h o t h e r s t o u c h e d
b y e p i l e p s y t h r o u g h o u r e C o m m u n i t i e s f o r u m s a n d
W e b e v e n t s . Y o u c a n a l s o s u b s c r i b e t o o u r b i - m o n t h l y
m a g a z i n e E p i l e p s y U S A . E a c h i s s u e c o n t a i n s e x c i t i n g
d e v e l o p m e n t s f o r p e o p l e a f e c t e d b y s e i z u r e d i s o r -
d e r s n e w t r e a t m e n t s a n d m e d i c i n e s , g r o u n d - b r e a k -
i n g r e s e a r c h , s a f e t y t i p s , p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s , a d v i c e f o r
p a r e n t s a n d m u c h , m u c h m o r e a l l d e l i v e r e d r i g h t t o
y o u r d o o r .
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n
a n d F i r s t A i d
E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y h a v e a d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l s
a n d o f f e r a v a r i e t y o f p r o g r a m s t o h e l p p e o p l e u n d e r s t a n d t h i s c o m m o n d i s o r d e r .
F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d t h e n a m e o f t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n n e a r e s t y o u ,
l o g o n t o w w w . e p i l e p s y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l 8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
T h i s p a m p h l e t i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e b a s i c i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . I t i s n o t i n t e n d e d t o , n o r d o e s i t , c o n s t i t u t e m e d i c a l
a d v i c e . R e a d e r s a r e w a r n e d a g a i n s t c h a n g i n g m e d i c a l s c h e d u l e s o r l i f e a c t i v i t i e s b a s e d o n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i t c o n t a i n s w i t h o u t f i r s t c o n s u l t i n g a p h y s i c i a n .
3 0 0 S F A 2 0 0 9 E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n o f A m e r i c a , I n c .
Seizure Recognition and First Aid
We have almost three million reasons for writing
this pamphlet for you. Thats how many Americans have
epilepsy (seizure disorders).
You may see several of them in a day, and not even
know it. People with epilepsy look just like everyone
else . . . except when they have a seizure.
Even then you might not recognize what you were
seeing.
You might not know that the actions or movements
taking place were being caused by a temporary medical
condition. That lack of knowledge might lead you to take
actions that you, and the person with epilepsy, might
later regret.
If you are someone who deals frequently with the pub-
lic, and if you have not been taught first aid for seizures,
this short summary should help you recognize a seizure
when it happens, and know how to give basic first aid . . . if
its needed.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition. It is the
general term for more than 20 different types of seizure
disorders produced by brief, temporary changes in the nor-
mal functioning of the brains electrical system.
These brief malfunctions mean that more than the usual
amount of electrical energy passes between cells. The sud-
den overload may stay in just one small area of the brain, or
it may swamp the whole system.
Of course, you cant see whats happening inside a per-
sons brain. But you can see the unusual bodily movements,
the effects on consciousness, and the changed behavior that
the malfunctioning areas are producing. These changes are
what we call seizures.
A single seizure may be caused by a number of health
conditions. In addition to these, about one person in 100
has recurring seizures, known as epilepsy. Two out of four
new cases begin in childhood. Epilepsy in adults may be the
result of head injuryoften from auto accidentsor may
date from their childhood years. Epilepsy is not contagious
at any age.
Recognition of seizure disorders and knowledge of first
aid is important because it is very easy to mistake some sei-
zures for some other condition.
A generalized tonic clonic seizure is a con vulsion. But it
may look like a heart attack, and CPR techniques may be
used when they are not necessary.
A period of automatic behavior may be interpreted
as being drunk or high on illegal drugs. The fact that
a person undergoing this kind of seizure may have
phenobarbital (an antiepileptic drug) with him adds
to the confusion.
Types of Seizures
Seizure disorders take several forms, depending on
where in the brain the malfunction takes place and how
much of the total brain area is involved.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures are the ones which
most people generally think of when they hear the word
epilepsy.
In this type of seizure the person undergoes convulsions
which usually last from two to five minutes, with complete
loss of consciousness and muscle spasms.
Absence seizures take the form of a blank stare lasting
only a few seconds. Partial seizures produce involuntary
movements of arm or leg, distorted sensations, or a period
of automatic movement in which awareness is blurred or
completely absent.
Since these seizure disorders are so different in their
effects, they require different kinds of action from the pub-
lic. Some require no action at all. The chart on the back of

this pamphlet describes seizures in detail, and how to han-
dle each type. Its been produced in this form to encourage
posting on staff bulletin boards or other places where it can
easily be seen by people who meet the public.
First Aid for Seizures in Special
Circumstances
Although the chart in this pamphlet gives information
on basic first aid for a generalized tonic clonic (convulsive)
seizure, there are some special circumstances in which
additional steps should be taken, regardless of the type
of seizure.
A seizure in water
If a seizure occurs in water, the person should be sup-
ported in the water with the head tilted so his face and head
stay above the surface. He should be removed from the water
as quickly as possible with the head in this position. Once on
dry land, he should be examined and, if he is not breathing,
artificial respiration should be begun at once. Anyone who
has a seizure in water should be taken to an emergency room
for a careful medical checkup, even if he appears to be fully
recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion
of water is a possible hazard in such cases. Additional safety
can be provided by wearing a flotation device.
A seizure in an airplane
If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can
be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the
affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that
the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across
two or more seats with head and body turned on one
side.
Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can
be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the per-
son is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase
has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so
that he is leaning towards one side.
Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head
doesnt hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care
should be taken that the angle at which the person is sit-
ting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is
unobstructed.
A seizure on a bus
Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn
him on his side, and follow the same steps as indicated
above. If he wishes to do so, there is no reason why a

person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay
on the bus until he arrives at his destination.
I s an Emergency Room Vi si t
Needed?
An uncomplicated convulsive seizure in someone who
has epilepsy is not a medical emergency, even though it
looks like one. It stops naturally after a few minutes with-
out ill effects. The average person is able to continue about
his business after a rest period, and may need only limited
assistance, or no assistance at all, in getting home.
However, occasionally a seizure will fail to stop naturally
and as noted earlier, there are several medical conditions
other than epilepsy that can cause seizures. These include:
When seizures are continuous or any of these conditions
exist, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The following are some suggestions to help people with
epilepsy avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the emer-
gency room and to help you decide whether or not to call
an ambulance:
No need to call an ambulance
1. If medical I.D. jewelry or card says epilepsy.
2. If the seizure ends in under five minutes.
3. If consciousness returns without further incident.
4. If there are no signs of injury, physical distress,
or pregnancy.
An ambulance should be called
1. If the seizure has happened in water.
2. If theres no medical I.D., and no way of knowing
whether the seizure is caused by epilepsy.
3. If the person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic.
4. If the seizure continues for more than five minutes.
5. If a second seizure starts shortly after the first
has ended.
6. If consciousness does not start to return after the shak-
ing has stopped.
If the ambulance arrives after consciousness has returned,
the person should be asked whether the seizure was associated
with epilepsy and whether emergency room care is wanted.
Individualized aid
Some people may require individualized care plans that
include ways to treat the person during a seizure. For exam-
ple, people who use a magnet with a vagus nerve stimulator or
those who use special types of medication to treat cluster sei-
zures will require special instruction in the use of these thera-
pies. This instruction falls outside the scope of basic seizure
first aid and should be individualized for each person.
For Law Enforcement Officers:
Epilepsy and Drugs
Despite medical progress, epilepsy cannot be cured in
the same sense that an infection can be cured. However,
seizures can be controlled completely or significantly
reduced in most people who have the disorder. This control
is achieved through regular, daily use of antiseizure drugs
called anticonvulsants. Doses may have to be taken up to
four times a day, and people with epilepsy therefore usually
carry medication with them. To miss a scheduled dose is to
risk a seizure.
Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
More than one drug may be prescribed. Among them are
phenobarbital, Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam),
Tranxene (clorazepate) and Valium (diazepam).
If a law enforcement officer has any doubts about the
legality of a persons possession of medication, the physi-
cian who prescribed the drug (or the pharmacy which dis-
pensed it) should be contacted without delay. Depriving a
person with epilepsy of access to his medication is putting
his healtheven his lifeat risk.
When medication is taken away, for even as little as sev-
eral hours, the following may happen:
A convulsive seizure with subsequent injury due to fall-
ing on cement floors, or in a confined area.
A series of convulsive seizures called status epilepticus,
in which the convulsions continue non-stop, or are
followed by coma or a subsequent series of seizures.
These are life threatening, and the mortality risk is
high unless prompt treatment at a properly equipped
medical facility is available.
Episodes of automatic behavior, known as complex
partial seizures, in which the person, unaware of
where he is or what his circumstances are, injures him-
self in unconscious efforts to escape, or is injured in
struggles with law enforcement personnel. A person
having this type of seizure is on automatic pilot so far
as his actions are concerned. Efforts to restrain the
person can increase agitated behavior.
Could it be Epilepsy?
Only a physician can say for certain whether or not a per-
son has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs
of the condition and therefore also miss the opportunity for
early diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms listed below are
not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by
some other, unrelated condition. However, if one or more is
present, a medical check-up is recommended.
Periods of blackout, confusion or memory lapses.
Occasional fainting spells in which bladder or bowel
control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue.
Episodes of blank staring in children; brief periods when
theres no response to questions or instructions.
Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason.
Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times.
A convulsion, with or without fever.
Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies.
diabetes
uncontrolled blood sugars
brain infections
heat exhaustion
rapid development of high
fever in young children
high blood pressure
in pregnancy
head injury
P r i n t e d o n F S C c e r t i f e d p a p e r
A b o u t t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n
T e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n i s t h e n a t i o n a l v o l u n t a r y
a g e n c y s o l e l y d e d i c a t e d t o t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e m o r e
t h a n t h r e e m i l l i o n p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y i n t h e U . S . a n d
t h e i r f a m i l i e s . T e o r g a n i z a t i o n w o r k s t o e n s u r e t h a t
p e o p l e w i t h s e i z u r e s a r e a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a l l l i f e
e x p e r i e n c e s ; a n d t o p r e v e n t , c o n t r o l a n d c u r e e p i l e p s y
t h r o u g h s e r v i c e s , e d u c a t i o n , a d v o c a c y a n d r e s e a r c h . I n
a d d i t i o n t o p r o g r a m s c o n d u c t e d a t t h e n a t i o n a l l e v e l ,
p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y a r e a l s o s e r v e d b y l o c a l E p i l e p s y
F o u n d a t i o n a f l i a t e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y .
I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s , l i v i n g w i t h e p i l e p s y , o r h e l p i n g a f r i e n d
o r f a m i l y m e m b e r w h o h a s e p i l e p s y , p l e a s e v i s i t u s
o n t h e W e b a t w w w . E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l
8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
O u r W e b s i t e h a s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e d i s o r d e r ,
o f e r s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o n e t w o r k w i t h o t h e r s t o u c h e d
b y e p i l e p s y t h r o u g h o u r e C o m m u n i t i e s f o r u m s a n d
W e b e v e n t s . Y o u c a n a l s o s u b s c r i b e t o o u r b i - m o n t h l y
m a g a z i n e E p i l e p s y U S A . E a c h i s s u e c o n t a i n s e x c i t i n g
d e v e l o p m e n t s f o r p e o p l e a f e c t e d b y s e i z u r e d i s o r -
d e r s n e w t r e a t m e n t s a n d m e d i c i n e s , g r o u n d - b r e a k -
i n g r e s e a r c h , s a f e t y t i p s , p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s , a d v i c e f o r
p a r e n t s a n d m u c h , m u c h m o r e a l l d e l i v e r e d r i g h t t o
y o u r d o o r .
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n
a n d F i r s t A i d
E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y h a v e a d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l s
a n d o f f e r a v a r i e t y o f p r o g r a m s t o h e l p p e o p l e u n d e r s t a n d t h i s c o m m o n d i s o r d e r .
F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d t h e n a m e o f t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n n e a r e s t y o u ,
l o g o n t o w w w . e p i l e p s y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l 8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
T h i s p a m p h l e t i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e b a s i c i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . I t i s n o t i n t e n d e d t o , n o r d o e s i t , c o n s t i t u t e m e d i c a l
a d v i c e . R e a d e r s a r e w a r n e d a g a i n s t c h a n g i n g m e d i c a l s c h e d u l e s o r l i f e a c t i v i t i e s b a s e d o n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i t c o n t a i n s w i t h o u t f i r s t c o n s u l t i n g a p h y s i c i a n .
3 0 0 S F A 2 0 0 9 E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n o f A m e r i c a , I n c .
Seizure Recognition and First Aid
We have almost three million reasons for writing
this pamphlet for you. Thats how many Americans have
epilepsy (seizure disorders).
You may see several of them in a day, and not even
know it. People with epilepsy look just like everyone
else . . . except when they have a seizure.
Even then you might not recognize what you were
seeing.
You might not know that the actions or movements
taking place were being caused by a temporary medical
condition. That lack of knowledge might lead you to take
actions that you, and the person with epilepsy, might
later regret.
If you are someone who deals frequently with the pub-
lic, and if you have not been taught first aid for seizures,
this short summary should help you recognize a seizure
when it happens, and know how to give basic first aid . . . if
its needed.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition. It is the
general term for more than 20 different types of seizure
disorders produced by brief, temporary changes in the nor-
mal functioning of the brains electrical system.
These brief malfunctions mean that more than the usual
amount of electrical energy passes between cells. The sud-
den overload may stay in just one small area of the brain, or
it may swamp the whole system.
Of course, you cant see whats happening inside a per-
sons brain. But you can see the unusual bodily movements,
the effects on consciousness, and the changed behavior that
the malfunctioning areas are producing. These changes are
what we call seizures.
A single seizure may be caused by a number of health
conditions. In addition to these, about one person in 100
has recurring seizures, known as epilepsy. Two out of four
new cases begin in childhood. Epilepsy in adults may be the
result of head injuryoften from auto accidentsor may
date from their childhood years. Epilepsy is not contagious
at any age.
Recognition of seizure disorders and knowledge of first
aid is important because it is very easy to mistake some sei-
zures for some other condition.
A generalized tonic clonic seizure is a con vulsion. But it
may look like a heart attack, and CPR techniques may be
used when they are not necessary.
A period of automatic behavior may be interpreted
as being drunk or high on illegal drugs. The fact that
a person undergoing this kind of seizure may have
phenobarbital (an antiepileptic drug) with him adds
to the confusion.
Types of Seizures
Seizure disorders take several forms, depending on
where in the brain the malfunction takes place and how
much of the total brain area is involved.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures are the ones which
most people generally think of when they hear the word
epilepsy.
In this type of seizure the person undergoes convulsions
which usually last from two to five minutes, with complete
loss of consciousness and muscle spasms.
Absence seizures take the form of a blank stare lasting
only a few seconds. Partial seizures produce involuntary
movements of arm or leg, distorted sensations, or a period
of automatic movement in which awareness is blurred or
completely absent.
Since these seizure disorders are so different in their
effects, they require different kinds of action from the pub-
lic. Some require no action at all. The chart on the back of

this pamphlet describes seizures in detail, and how to han-
dle each type. Its been produced in this form to encourage
posting on staff bulletin boards or other places where it can
easily be seen by people who meet the public.
First Aid for Seizures in Special
Circumstances
Although the chart in this pamphlet gives information
on basic first aid for a generalized tonic clonic (convulsive)
seizure, there are some special circumstances in which
additional steps should be taken, regardless of the type
of seizure.
A seizure in water
If a seizure occurs in water, the person should be sup-
ported in the water with the head tilted so his face and head
stay above the surface. He should be removed from the water
as quickly as possible with the head in this position. Once on
dry land, he should be examined and, if he is not breathing,
artificial respiration should be begun at once. Anyone who
has a seizure in water should be taken to an emergency room
for a careful medical checkup, even if he appears to be fully
recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion
of water is a possible hazard in such cases. Additional safety
can be provided by wearing a flotation device.
A seizure in an airplane
If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can
be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the
affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that
the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across
two or more seats with head and body turned on one
side.
Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can
be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the per-
son is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase
has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so
that he is leaning towards one side.
Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head
doesnt hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care
should be taken that the angle at which the person is sit-
ting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is
unobstructed.
A seizure on a bus
Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn
him on his side, and follow the same steps as indicated
above. If he wishes to do so, there is no reason why a

person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay
on the bus until he arrives at his destination.
I s an Emergency Room Vi si t
Needed?
An uncomplicated convulsive seizure in someone who
has epilepsy is not a medical emergency, even though it
looks like one. It stops naturally after a few minutes with-
out ill effects. The average person is able to continue about
his business after a rest period, and may need only limited
assistance, or no assistance at all, in getting home.
However, occasionally a seizure will fail to stop naturally
and as noted earlier, there are several medical conditions
other than epilepsy that can cause seizures. These include:
When seizures are continuous or any of these conditions
exist, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The following are some suggestions to help people with
epilepsy avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the emer-
gency room and to help you decide whether or not to call
an ambulance:
No need to call an ambulance
1. If medical I.D. jewelry or card says epilepsy.
2. If the seizure ends in under five minutes.
3. If consciousness returns without further incident.
4. If there are no signs of injury, physical distress,
or pregnancy.
An ambulance should be called
1. If the seizure has happened in water.
2. If theres no medical I.D., and no way of knowing
whether the seizure is caused by epilepsy.
3. If the person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic.
4. If the seizure continues for more than five minutes.
5. If a second seizure starts shortly after the first
has ended.
6. If consciousness does not start to return after the shak-
ing has stopped.
If the ambulance arrives after consciousness has returned,
the person should be asked whether the seizure was associated
with epilepsy and whether emergency room care is wanted.
Individualized aid
Some people may require individualized care plans that
include ways to treat the person during a seizure. For exam-
ple, people who use a magnet with a vagus nerve stimulator or
those who use special types of medication to treat cluster sei-
zures will require special instruction in the use of these thera-
pies. This instruction falls outside the scope of basic seizure
first aid and should be individualized for each person.
For Law Enforcement Officers:
Epilepsy and Drugs
Despite medical progress, epilepsy cannot be cured in
the same sense that an infection can be cured. However,
seizures can be controlled completely or significantly
reduced in most people who have the disorder. This control
is achieved through regular, daily use of antiseizure drugs
called anticonvulsants. Doses may have to be taken up to
four times a day, and people with epilepsy therefore usually
carry medication with them. To miss a scheduled dose is to
risk a seizure.
Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
More than one drug may be prescribed. Among them are
phenobarbital, Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam),
Tranxene (clorazepate) and Valium (diazepam).
If a law enforcement officer has any doubts about the
legality of a persons possession of medication, the physi-
cian who prescribed the drug (or the pharmacy which dis-
pensed it) should be contacted without delay. Depriving a
person with epilepsy of access to his medication is putting
his healtheven his lifeat risk.
When medication is taken away, for even as little as sev-
eral hours, the following may happen:
A convulsive seizure with subsequent injury due to fall-
ing on cement floors, or in a confined area.
A series of convulsive seizures called status epilepticus,
in which the convulsions continue non-stop, or are
followed by coma or a subsequent series of seizures.
These are life threatening, and the mortality risk is
high unless prompt treatment at a properly equipped
medical facility is available.
Episodes of automatic behavior, known as complex
partial seizures, in which the person, unaware of
where he is or what his circumstances are, injures him-
self in unconscious efforts to escape, or is injured in
struggles with law enforcement personnel. A person
having this type of seizure is on automatic pilot so far
as his actions are concerned. Efforts to restrain the
person can increase agitated behavior.
Could it be Epilepsy?
Only a physician can say for certain whether or not a per-
son has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs
of the condition and therefore also miss the opportunity for
early diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms listed below are
not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by
some other, unrelated condition. However, if one or more is
present, a medical check-up is recommended.
Periods of blackout, confusion or memory lapses.
Occasional fainting spells in which bladder or bowel
control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue.
Episodes of blank staring in children; brief periods when
theres no response to questions or instructions.
Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason.
Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times.
A convulsion, with or without fever.
Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies.
diabetes
uncontrolled blood sugars
brain infections
heat exhaustion
rapid development of high
fever in young children
high blood pressure
in pregnancy
head injury
P r i n t e d o n F S C c e r t i f e d p a p e r
A b o u t t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n
T e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n i s t h e n a t i o n a l v o l u n t a r y
a g e n c y s o l e l y d e d i c a t e d t o t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e m o r e
t h a n t h r e e m i l l i o n p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y i n t h e U . S . a n d
t h e i r f a m i l i e s . T e o r g a n i z a t i o n w o r k s t o e n s u r e t h a t
p e o p l e w i t h s e i z u r e s a r e a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a l l l i f e
e x p e r i e n c e s ; a n d t o p r e v e n t , c o n t r o l a n d c u r e e p i l e p s y
t h r o u g h s e r v i c e s , e d u c a t i o n , a d v o c a c y a n d r e s e a r c h . I n
a d d i t i o n t o p r o g r a m s c o n d u c t e d a t t h e n a t i o n a l l e v e l ,
p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y a r e a l s o s e r v e d b y l o c a l E p i l e p s y
F o u n d a t i o n a f l i a t e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y .
I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s , l i v i n g w i t h e p i l e p s y , o r h e l p i n g a f r i e n d
o r f a m i l y m e m b e r w h o h a s e p i l e p s y , p l e a s e v i s i t u s
o n t h e W e b a t w w w . E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l
8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
O u r W e b s i t e h a s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e d i s o r d e r ,
o f e r s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o n e t w o r k w i t h o t h e r s t o u c h e d
b y e p i l e p s y t h r o u g h o u r e C o m m u n i t i e s f o r u m s a n d
W e b e v e n t s . Y o u c a n a l s o s u b s c r i b e t o o u r b i - m o n t h l y
m a g a z i n e E p i l e p s y U S A . E a c h i s s u e c o n t a i n s e x c i t i n g
d e v e l o p m e n t s f o r p e o p l e a f e c t e d b y s e i z u r e d i s o r -
d e r s n e w t r e a t m e n t s a n d m e d i c i n e s , g r o u n d - b r e a k -
i n g r e s e a r c h , s a f e t y t i p s , p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s , a d v i c e f o r
p a r e n t s a n d m u c h , m u c h m o r e a l l d e l i v e r e d r i g h t t o
y o u r d o o r .
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n
a n d F i r s t A i d
E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y h a v e a d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l s
a n d o f f e r a v a r i e t y o f p r o g r a m s t o h e l p p e o p l e u n d e r s t a n d t h i s c o m m o n d i s o r d e r .
F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d t h e n a m e o f t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n n e a r e s t y o u ,
l o g o n t o w w w . e p i l e p s y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l 8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
T h i s p a m p h l e t i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e b a s i c i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . I t i s n o t i n t e n d e d t o , n o r d o e s i t , c o n s t i t u t e m e d i c a l
a d v i c e . R e a d e r s a r e w a r n e d a g a i n s t c h a n g i n g m e d i c a l s c h e d u l e s o r l i f e a c t i v i t i e s b a s e d o n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i t c o n t a i n s w i t h o u t f i r s t c o n s u l t i n g a p h y s i c i a n .
3 0 0 S F A 2 0 0 9 E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n o f A m e r i c a , I n c .
Seizure Recognition and First Aid
We have almost three million reasons for writing
this pamphlet for you. Thats how many Americans have
epilepsy (seizure disorders).
You may see several of them in a day, and not even
know it. People with epilepsy look just like everyone
else . . . except when they have a seizure.
Even then you might not recognize what you were
seeing.
You might not know that the actions or movements
taking place were being caused by a temporary medical
condition. That lack of knowledge might lead you to take
actions that you, and the person with epilepsy, might
later regret.
If you are someone who deals frequently with the pub-
lic, and if you have not been taught first aid for seizures,
this short summary should help you recognize a seizure
when it happens, and know how to give basic first aid . . . if
its needed.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition. It is the
general term for more than 20 different types of seizure
disorders produced by brief, temporary changes in the nor-
mal functioning of the brains electrical system.
These brief malfunctions mean that more than the usual
amount of electrical energy passes between cells. The sud-
den overload may stay in just one small area of the brain, or
it may swamp the whole system.
Of course, you cant see whats happening inside a per-
sons brain. But you can see the unusual bodily movements,
the effects on consciousness, and the changed behavior that
the malfunctioning areas are producing. These changes are
what we call seizures.
A single seizure may be caused by a number of health
conditions. In addition to these, about one person in 100
has recurring seizures, known as epilepsy. Two out of four
new cases begin in childhood. Epilepsy in adults may be the
result of head injuryoften from auto accidentsor may
date from their childhood years. Epilepsy is not contagious
at any age.
Recognition of seizure disorders and knowledge of first
aid is important because it is very easy to mistake some sei-
zures for some other condition.
A generalized tonic clonic seizure is a con vulsion. But it
may look like a heart attack, and CPR techniques may be
used when they are not necessary.
A period of automatic behavior may be interpreted
as being drunk or high on illegal drugs. The fact that
a person undergoing this kind of seizure may have
phenobarbital (an antiepileptic drug) with him adds
to the confusion.
Types of Seizures
Seizure disorders take several forms, depending on
where in the brain the malfunction takes place and how
much of the total brain area is involved.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures are the ones which
most people generally think of when they hear the word
epilepsy.
In this type of seizure the person undergoes convulsions
which usually last from two to five minutes, with complete
loss of consciousness and muscle spasms.
Absence seizures take the form of a blank stare lasting
only a few seconds. Partial seizures produce involuntary
movements of arm or leg, distorted sensations, or a period
of automatic movement in which awareness is blurred or
completely absent.
Since these seizure disorders are so different in their
effects, they require different kinds of action from the pub-
lic. Some require no action at all. The chart on the back of

this pamphlet describes seizures in detail, and how to han-
dle each type. Its been produced in this form to encourage
posting on staff bulletin boards or other places where it can
easily be seen by people who meet the public.
First Aid for Seizures in Special
Circumstances
Although the chart in this pamphlet gives information
on basic first aid for a generalized tonic clonic (convulsive)
seizure, there are some special circumstances in which
additional steps should be taken, regardless of the type
of seizure.
A seizure in water
If a seizure occurs in water, the person should be sup-
ported in the water with the head tilted so his face and head
stay above the surface. He should be removed from the water
as quickly as possible with the head in this position. Once on
dry land, he should be examined and, if he is not breathing,
artificial respiration should be begun at once. Anyone who
has a seizure in water should be taken to an emergency room
for a careful medical checkup, even if he appears to be fully
recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion
of water is a possible hazard in such cases. Additional safety
can be provided by wearing a flotation device.
A seizure in an airplane
If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can
be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the
affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that
the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across
two or more seats with head and body turned on one
side.
Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can
be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the per-
son is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase
has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so
that he is leaning towards one side.
Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head
doesnt hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care
should be taken that the angle at which the person is sit-
ting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is
unobstructed.
A seizure on a bus
Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn
him on his side, and follow the same steps as indicated
above. If he wishes to do so, there is no reason why a

person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay
on the bus until he arrives at his destination.
I s an Emergency Room Vi si t
Needed?
An uncomplicated convulsive seizure in someone who
has epilepsy is not a medical emergency, even though it
looks like one. It stops naturally after a few minutes with-
out ill effects. The average person is able to continue about
his business after a rest period, and may need only limited
assistance, or no assistance at all, in getting home.
However, occasionally a seizure will fail to stop naturally
and as noted earlier, there are several medical conditions
other than epilepsy that can cause seizures. These include:
When seizures are continuous or any of these conditions
exist, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The following are some suggestions to help people with
epilepsy avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the emer-
gency room and to help you decide whether or not to call
an ambulance:
No need to call an ambulance
1. If medical I.D. jewelry or card says epilepsy.
2. If the seizure ends in under five minutes.
3. If consciousness returns without further incident.
4. If there are no signs of injury, physical distress,
or pregnancy.
An ambulance should be called
1. If the seizure has happened in water.
2. If theres no medical I.D., and no way of knowing
whether the seizure is caused by epilepsy.
3. If the person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic.
4. If the seizure continues for more than five minutes.
5. If a second seizure starts shortly after the first
has ended.
6. If consciousness does not start to return after the shak-
ing has stopped.
If the ambulance arrives after consciousness has returned,
the person should be asked whether the seizure was associated
with epilepsy and whether emergency room care is wanted.
Individualized aid
Some people may require individualized care plans that
include ways to treat the person during a seizure. For exam-
ple, people who use a magnet with a vagus nerve stimulator or
those who use special types of medication to treat cluster sei-
zures will require special instruction in the use of these thera-
pies. This instruction falls outside the scope of basic seizure
first aid and should be individualized for each person.
For Law Enforcement Officers:
Epilepsy and Drugs
Despite medical progress, epilepsy cannot be cured in
the same sense that an infection can be cured. However,
seizures can be controlled completely or significantly
reduced in most people who have the disorder. This control
is achieved through regular, daily use of antiseizure drugs
called anticonvulsants. Doses may have to be taken up to
four times a day, and people with epilepsy therefore usually
carry medication with them. To miss a scheduled dose is to
risk a seizure.
Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
More than one drug may be prescribed. Among them are
phenobarbital, Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam),
Tranxene (clorazepate) and Valium (diazepam).
If a law enforcement officer has any doubts about the
legality of a persons possession of medication, the physi-
cian who prescribed the drug (or the pharmacy which dis-
pensed it) should be contacted without delay. Depriving a
person with epilepsy of access to his medication is putting
his healtheven his lifeat risk.
When medication is taken away, for even as little as sev-
eral hours, the following may happen:
A convulsive seizure with subsequent injury due to fall-
ing on cement floors, or in a confined area.
A series of convulsive seizures called status epilepticus,
in which the convulsions continue non-stop, or are
followed by coma or a subsequent series of seizures.
These are life threatening, and the mortality risk is
high unless prompt treatment at a properly equipped
medical facility is available.
Episodes of automatic behavior, known as complex
partial seizures, in which the person, unaware of
where he is or what his circumstances are, injures him-
self in unconscious efforts to escape, or is injured in
struggles with law enforcement personnel. A person
having this type of seizure is on automatic pilot so far
as his actions are concerned. Efforts to restrain the
person can increase agitated behavior.
Could it be Epilepsy?
Only a physician can say for certain whether or not a per-
son has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs
of the condition and therefore also miss the opportunity for
early diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms listed below are
not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by
some other, unrelated condition. However, if one or more is
present, a medical check-up is recommended.
Periods of blackout, confusion or memory lapses.
Occasional fainting spells in which bladder or bowel
control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue.
Episodes of blank staring in children; brief periods when
theres no response to questions or instructions.
Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason.
Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times.
A convulsion, with or without fever.
Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies.
diabetes
uncontrolled blood sugars
brain infections
heat exhaustion
rapid development of high
fever in young children
high blood pressure
in pregnancy
head injury
P r i n t e d o n F S C c e r t i f e d p a p e r
A b o u t t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n
T e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n i s t h e n a t i o n a l v o l u n t a r y
a g e n c y s o l e l y d e d i c a t e d t o t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e m o r e
t h a n t h r e e m i l l i o n p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y i n t h e U . S . a n d
t h e i r f a m i l i e s . T e o r g a n i z a t i o n w o r k s t o e n s u r e t h a t
p e o p l e w i t h s e i z u r e s a r e a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a l l l i f e
e x p e r i e n c e s ; a n d t o p r e v e n t , c o n t r o l a n d c u r e e p i l e p s y
t h r o u g h s e r v i c e s , e d u c a t i o n , a d v o c a c y a n d r e s e a r c h . I n
a d d i t i o n t o p r o g r a m s c o n d u c t e d a t t h e n a t i o n a l l e v e l ,
p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y a r e a l s o s e r v e d b y l o c a l E p i l e p s y
F o u n d a t i o n a f l i a t e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y .
I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s , l i v i n g w i t h e p i l e p s y , o r h e l p i n g a f r i e n d
o r f a m i l y m e m b e r w h o h a s e p i l e p s y , p l e a s e v i s i t u s
o n t h e W e b a t w w w . E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l
8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
O u r W e b s i t e h a s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e d i s o r d e r ,
o f e r s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o n e t w o r k w i t h o t h e r s t o u c h e d
b y e p i l e p s y t h r o u g h o u r e C o m m u n i t i e s f o r u m s a n d
W e b e v e n t s . Y o u c a n a l s o s u b s c r i b e t o o u r b i - m o n t h l y
m a g a z i n e E p i l e p s y U S A . E a c h i s s u e c o n t a i n s e x c i t i n g
d e v e l o p m e n t s f o r p e o p l e a f e c t e d b y s e i z u r e d i s o r -
d e r s n e w t r e a t m e n t s a n d m e d i c i n e s , g r o u n d - b r e a k -
i n g r e s e a r c h , s a f e t y t i p s , p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s , a d v i c e f o r
p a r e n t s a n d m u c h , m u c h m o r e a l l d e l i v e r e d r i g h t t o
y o u r d o o r .
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n
a n d F i r s t A i d
E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y h a v e a d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l s
a n d o f f e r a v a r i e t y o f p r o g r a m s t o h e l p p e o p l e u n d e r s t a n d t h i s c o m m o n d i s o r d e r .
F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d t h e n a m e o f t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n n e a r e s t y o u ,
l o g o n t o w w w . e p i l e p s y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l 8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
T h i s p a m p h l e t i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e b a s i c i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . I t i s n o t i n t e n d e d t o , n o r d o e s i t , c o n s t i t u t e m e d i c a l
a d v i c e . R e a d e r s a r e w a r n e d a g a i n s t c h a n g i n g m e d i c a l s c h e d u l e s o r l i f e a c t i v i t i e s b a s e d o n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i t c o n t a i n s w i t h o u t f i r s t c o n s u l t i n g a p h y s i c i a n .
3 0 0 S F A 2 0 0 9 E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n o f A m e r i c a , I n c .
Seizure Recognition and First Aid
We have almost three million reasons for writing
this pamphlet for you. Thats how many Americans have
epilepsy (seizure disorders).
You may see several of them in a day, and not even
know it. People with epilepsy look just like everyone
else . . . except when they have a seizure.
Even then you might not recognize what you were
seeing.
You might not know that the actions or movements
taking place were being caused by a temporary medical
condition. That lack of knowledge might lead you to take
actions that you, and the person with epilepsy, might
later regret.
If you are someone who deals frequently with the pub-
lic, and if you have not been taught first aid for seizures,
this short summary should help you recognize a seizure
when it happens, and know how to give basic first aid . . . if
its needed.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition. It is the
general term for more than 20 different types of seizure
disorders produced by brief, temporary changes in the nor-
mal functioning of the brains electrical system.
These brief malfunctions mean that more than the usual
amount of electrical energy passes between cells. The sud-
den overload may stay in just one small area of the brain, or
it may swamp the whole system.
Of course, you cant see whats happening inside a per-
sons brain. But you can see the unusual bodily movements,
the effects on consciousness, and the changed behavior that
the malfunctioning areas are producing. These changes are
what we call seizures.
A single seizure may be caused by a number of health
conditions. In addition to these, about one person in 100
has recurring seizures, known as epilepsy. Two out of four
new cases begin in childhood. Epilepsy in adults may be the
result of head injuryoften from auto accidentsor may
date from their childhood years. Epilepsy is not contagious
at any age.
Recognition of seizure disorders and knowledge of first
aid is important because it is very easy to mistake some sei-
zures for some other condition.
A generalized tonic clonic seizure is a con vulsion. But it
may look like a heart attack, and CPR techniques may be
used when they are not necessary.
A period of automatic behavior may be interpreted
as being drunk or high on illegal drugs. The fact that
a person undergoing this kind of seizure may have
phenobarbital (an antiepileptic drug) with him adds
to the confusion.
Types of Seizures
Seizure disorders take several forms, depending on
where in the brain the malfunction takes place and how
much of the total brain area is involved.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures are the ones which
most people generally think of when they hear the word
epilepsy.
In this type of seizure the person undergoes convulsions
which usually last from two to five minutes, with complete
loss of consciousness and muscle spasms.
Absence seizures take the form of a blank stare lasting
only a few seconds. Partial seizures produce involuntary
movements of arm or leg, distorted sensations, or a period
of automatic movement in which awareness is blurred or
completely absent.
Since these seizure disorders are so different in their
effects, they require different kinds of action from the pub-
lic. Some require no action at all. The chart on the back of

this pamphlet describes seizures in detail, and how to han-
dle each type. Its been produced in this form to encourage
posting on staff bulletin boards or other places where it can
easily be seen by people who meet the public.
First Aid for Seizures in Special
Circumstances
Although the chart in this pamphlet gives information
on basic first aid for a generalized tonic clonic (convulsive)
seizure, there are some special circumstances in which
additional steps should be taken, regardless of the type
of seizure.
A seizure in water
If a seizure occurs in water, the person should be sup-
ported in the water with the head tilted so his face and head
stay above the surface. He should be removed from the water
as quickly as possible with the head in this position. Once on
dry land, he should be examined and, if he is not breathing,
artificial respiration should be begun at once. Anyone who
has a seizure in water should be taken to an emergency room
for a careful medical checkup, even if he appears to be fully
recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion
of water is a possible hazard in such cases. Additional safety
can be provided by wearing a flotation device.
A seizure in an airplane
If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can
be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the
affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that
the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across
two or more seats with head and body turned on one
side.
Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can
be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the per-
son is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase
has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so
that he is leaning towards one side.
Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head
doesnt hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care
should be taken that the angle at which the person is sit-
ting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is
unobstructed.
A seizure on a bus
Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn
him on his side, and follow the same steps as indicated
above. If he wishes to do so, there is no reason why a

person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay
on the bus until he arrives at his destination.
I s an Emergency Room Vi si t
Needed?
An uncomplicated convulsive seizure in someone who
has epilepsy is not a medical emergency, even though it
looks like one. It stops naturally after a few minutes with-
out ill effects. The average person is able to continue about
his business after a rest period, and may need only limited
assistance, or no assistance at all, in getting home.
However, occasionally a seizure will fail to stop naturally
and as noted earlier, there are several medical conditions
other than epilepsy that can cause seizures. These include:
When seizures are continuous or any of these conditions
exist, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The following are some suggestions to help people with
epilepsy avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the emer-
gency room and to help you decide whether or not to call
an ambulance:
No need to call an ambulance
1. If medical I.D. jewelry or card says epilepsy.
2. If the seizure ends in under five minutes.
3. If consciousness returns without further incident.
4. If there are no signs of injury, physical distress,
or pregnancy.
An ambulance should be called
1. If the seizure has happened in water.
2. If theres no medical I.D., and no way of knowing
whether the seizure is caused by epilepsy.
3. If the person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic.
4. If the seizure continues for more than five minutes.
5. If a second seizure starts shortly after the first
has ended.
6. If consciousness does not start to return after the shak-
ing has stopped.
If the ambulance arrives after consciousness has returned,
the person should be asked whether the seizure was associated
with epilepsy and whether emergency room care is wanted.
Individualized aid
Some people may require individualized care plans that
include ways to treat the person during a seizure. For exam-
ple, people who use a magnet with a vagus nerve stimulator or
those who use special types of medication to treat cluster sei-
zures will require special instruction in the use of these thera-
pies. This instruction falls outside the scope of basic seizure
first aid and should be individualized for each person.
For Law Enforcement Officers:
Epilepsy and Drugs
Despite medical progress, epilepsy cannot be cured in
the same sense that an infection can be cured. However,
seizures can be controlled completely or significantly
reduced in most people who have the disorder. This control
is achieved through regular, daily use of antiseizure drugs
called anticonvulsants. Doses may have to be taken up to
four times a day, and people with epilepsy therefore usually
carry medication with them. To miss a scheduled dose is to
risk a seizure.
Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
More than one drug may be prescribed. Among them are
phenobarbital, Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam),
Tranxene (clorazepate) and Valium (diazepam).
If a law enforcement officer has any doubts about the
legality of a persons possession of medication, the physi-
cian who prescribed the drug (or the pharmacy which dis-
pensed it) should be contacted without delay. Depriving a
person with epilepsy of access to his medication is putting
his healtheven his lifeat risk.
When medication is taken away, for even as little as sev-
eral hours, the following may happen:
A convulsive seizure with subsequent injury due to fall-
ing on cement floors, or in a confined area.
A series of convulsive seizures called status epilepticus,
in which the convulsions continue non-stop, or are
followed by coma or a subsequent series of seizures.
These are life threatening, and the mortality risk is
high unless prompt treatment at a properly equipped
medical facility is available.
Episodes of automatic behavior, known as complex
partial seizures, in which the person, unaware of
where he is or what his circumstances are, injures him-
self in unconscious efforts to escape, or is injured in
struggles with law enforcement personnel. A person
having this type of seizure is on automatic pilot so far
as his actions are concerned. Efforts to restrain the
person can increase agitated behavior.
Could it be Epilepsy?
Only a physician can say for certain whether or not a per-
son has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs
of the condition and therefore also miss the opportunity for
early diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms listed below are
not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by
some other, unrelated condition. However, if one or more is
present, a medical check-up is recommended.
Periods of blackout, confusion or memory lapses.
Occasional fainting spells in which bladder or bowel
control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue.
Episodes of blank staring in children; brief periods when
theres no response to questions or instructions.
Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason.
Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times.
A convulsion, with or without fever.
Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies.
diabetes
uncontrolled blood sugars
brain infections
heat exhaustion
rapid development of high
fever in young children
high blood pressure
in pregnancy
head injury
P r i n t e d o n F S C c e r t i f e d p a p e r
A b o u t t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n
T e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n i s t h e n a t i o n a l v o l u n t a r y
a g e n c y s o l e l y d e d i c a t e d t o t h e w e l f a r e o f t h e m o r e
t h a n t h r e e m i l l i o n p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y i n t h e U . S . a n d
t h e i r f a m i l i e s . T e o r g a n i z a t i o n w o r k s t o e n s u r e t h a t
p e o p l e w i t h s e i z u r e s a r e a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n a l l l i f e
e x p e r i e n c e s ; a n d t o p r e v e n t , c o n t r o l a n d c u r e e p i l e p s y
t h r o u g h s e r v i c e s , e d u c a t i o n , a d v o c a c y a n d r e s e a r c h . I n
a d d i t i o n t o p r o g r a m s c o n d u c t e d a t t h e n a t i o n a l l e v e l ,
p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y a r e a l s o s e r v e d b y l o c a l E p i l e p s y
F o u n d a t i o n a f l i a t e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y .
I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s , l i v i n g w i t h e p i l e p s y , o r h e l p i n g a f r i e n d
o r f a m i l y m e m b e r w h o h a s e p i l e p s y , p l e a s e v i s i t u s
o n t h e W e b a t w w w . E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l
8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
O u r W e b s i t e h a s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e d i s o r d e r ,
o f e r s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o n e t w o r k w i t h o t h e r s t o u c h e d
b y e p i l e p s y t h r o u g h o u r e C o m m u n i t i e s f o r u m s a n d
W e b e v e n t s . Y o u c a n a l s o s u b s c r i b e t o o u r b i - m o n t h l y
m a g a z i n e E p i l e p s y U S A . E a c h i s s u e c o n t a i n s e x c i t i n g
d e v e l o p m e n t s f o r p e o p l e a f e c t e d b y s e i z u r e d i s o r -
d e r s n e w t r e a t m e n t s a n d m e d i c i n e s , g r o u n d - b r e a k -
i n g r e s e a r c h , s a f e t y t i p s , p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s , a d v i c e f o r
p a r e n t s a n d m u c h , m u c h m o r e a l l d e l i v e r e d r i g h t t o
y o u r d o o r .
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n
a n d F i r s t A i d
E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y h a v e a d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l s
a n d o f f e r a v a r i e t y o f p r o g r a m s t o h e l p p e o p l e u n d e r s t a n d t h i s c o m m o n d i s o r d e r .
F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y a n d t h e n a m e o f t h e E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n n e a r e s t y o u ,
l o g o n t o w w w . e p i l e p s y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g o r c a l l 8 0 0 - 3 3 2 - 1 0 0 0 .
T h i s p a m p h l e t i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e b a s i c i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e p i l e p s y t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c . I t i s n o t i n t e n d e d t o , n o r d o e s i t , c o n s t i t u t e m e d i c a l
a d v i c e . R e a d e r s a r e w a r n e d a g a i n s t c h a n g i n g m e d i c a l s c h e d u l e s o r l i f e a c t i v i t i e s b a s e d o n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i t c o n t a i n s w i t h o u t f i r s t c o n s u l t i n g a p h y s i c i a n .
3 0 0 S F A 2 0 0 9 E p i l e p s y F o u n d a t i o n o f A m e r i c a , I n c .
Seizure Recognition and First Aid
We have almost three million reasons for writing
this pamphlet for you. Thats how many Americans have
epilepsy (seizure disorders).
You may see several of them in a day, and not even
know it. People with epilepsy look just like everyone
else . . . except when they have a seizure.
Even then you might not recognize what you were
seeing.
You might not know that the actions or movements
taking place were being caused by a temporary medical
condition. That lack of knowledge might lead you to take
actions that you, and the person with epilepsy, might
later regret.
If you are someone who deals frequently with the pub-
lic, and if you have not been taught first aid for seizures,
this short summary should help you recognize a seizure
when it happens, and know how to give basic first aid . . . if
its needed.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition. It is the
general term for more than 20 different types of seizure
disorders produced by brief, temporary changes in the nor-
mal functioning of the brains electrical system.
These brief malfunctions mean that more than the usual
amount of electrical energy passes between cells. The sud-
den overload may stay in just one small area of the brain, or
it may swamp the whole system.
Of course, you cant see whats happening inside a per-
sons brain. But you can see the unusual bodily movements,
the effects on consciousness, and the changed behavior that
the malfunctioning areas are producing. These changes are
what we call seizures.
A single seizure may be caused by a number of health
conditions. In addition to these, about one person in 100
has recurring seizures, known as epilepsy. Two out of four
new cases begin in childhood. Epilepsy in adults may be the
result of head injuryoften from auto accidentsor may
date from their childhood years. Epilepsy is not contagious
at any age.
Recognition of seizure disorders and knowledge of first
aid is important because it is very easy to mistake some sei-
zures for some other condition.
A generalized tonic clonic seizure is a con vulsion. But it
may look like a heart attack, and CPR techniques may be
used when they are not necessary.
A period of automatic behavior may be interpreted
as being drunk or high on illegal drugs. The fact that
a person undergoing this kind of seizure may have
phenobarbital (an antiepileptic drug) with him adds
to the confusion.
Types of Seizures
Seizure disorders take several forms, depending on
where in the brain the malfunction takes place and how
much of the total brain area is involved.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures are the ones which
most people generally think of when they hear the word
epilepsy.
In this type of seizure the person undergoes convulsions
which usually last from two to five minutes, with complete
loss of consciousness and muscle spasms.
Absence seizures take the form of a blank stare lasting
only a few seconds. Partial seizures produce involuntary
movements of arm or leg, distorted sensations, or a period
of automatic movement in which awareness is blurred or
completely absent.
Since these seizure disorders are so different in their
effects, they require different kinds of action from the pub-
lic. Some require no action at all. The chart on the back of

this pamphlet describes seizures in detail, and how to han-
dle each type. Its been produced in this form to encourage
posting on staff bulletin boards or other places where it can
easily be seen by people who meet the public.
First Aid for Seizures in Special
Circumstances
Although the chart in this pamphlet gives information
on basic first aid for a generalized tonic clonic (convulsive)
seizure, there are some special circumstances in which
additional steps should be taken, regardless of the type
of seizure.
A seizure in water
If a seizure occurs in water, the person should be sup-
ported in the water with the head tilted so his face and head
stay above the surface. He should be removed from the water
as quickly as possible with the head in this position. Once on
dry land, he should be examined and, if he is not breathing,
artificial respiration should be begun at once. Anyone who
has a seizure in water should be taken to an emergency room
for a careful medical checkup, even if he appears to be fully
recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion
of water is a possible hazard in such cases. Additional safety
can be provided by wearing a flotation device.
A seizure in an airplane
If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can
be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the
affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that
the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across
two or more seats with head and body turned on one
side.
Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can
be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the per-
son is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase
has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so
that he is leaning towards one side.
Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head
doesnt hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care
should be taken that the angle at which the person is sit-
ting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is
unobstructed.
A seizure on a bus
Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn
him on his side, and follow the same steps as indicated
above. If he wishes to do so, there is no reason why a

person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay
on the bus until he arrives at his destination.
I s an Emergency Room Vi si t
Needed?
An uncomplicated convulsive seizure in someone who
has epilepsy is not a medical emergency, even though it
looks like one. It stops naturally after a few minutes with-
out ill effects. The average person is able to continue about
his business after a rest period, and may need only limited
assistance, or no assistance at all, in getting home.
However, occasionally a seizure will fail to stop naturally
and as noted earlier, there are several medical conditions
other than epilepsy that can cause seizures. These include:
When seizures are continuous or any of these conditions
exist, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The following are some suggestions to help people with
epilepsy avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the emer-
gency room and to help you decide whether or not to call
an ambulance:
No need to call an ambulance
1. If medical I.D. jewelry or card says epilepsy.
2. If the seizure ends in under five minutes.
3. If consciousness returns without further incident.
4. If there are no signs of injury, physical distress,
or pregnancy.
An ambulance should be called
1. If the seizure has happened in water.
2. If theres no medical I.D., and no way of knowing
whether the seizure is caused by epilepsy.
3. If the person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic.
4. If the seizure continues for more than five minutes.
5. If a second seizure starts shortly after the first
has ended.
6. If consciousness does not start to return after the shak-
ing has stopped.
If the ambulance arrives after consciousness has returned,
the person should be asked whether the seizure was associated
with epilepsy and whether emergency room care is wanted.
Individualized aid
Some people may require individualized care plans that
include ways to treat the person during a seizure. For exam-
ple, people who use a magnet with a vagus nerve stimulator or
those who use special types of medication to treat cluster sei-
zures will require special instruction in the use of these thera-
pies. This instruction falls outside the scope of basic seizure
first aid and should be individualized for each person.
For Law Enforcement Officers:
Epilepsy and Drugs
Despite medical progress, epilepsy cannot be cured in
the same sense that an infection can be cured. However,
seizures can be controlled completely or significantly
reduced in most people who have the disorder. This control
is achieved through regular, daily use of antiseizure drugs
called anticonvulsants. Doses may have to be taken up to
four times a day, and people with epilepsy therefore usually
carry medication with them. To miss a scheduled dose is to
risk a seizure.
Many medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy.
More than one drug may be prescribed. Among them are
phenobarbital, Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam),
Tranxene (clorazepate) and Valium (diazepam).
If a law enforcement officer has any doubts about the
legality of a persons possession of medication, the physi-
cian who prescribed the drug (or the pharmacy which dis-
pensed it) should be contacted without delay. Depriving a
person with epilepsy of access to his medication is putting
his healtheven his lifeat risk.
When medication is taken away, for even as little as sev-
eral hours, the following may happen:
A convulsive seizure with subsequent injury due to fall-
ing on cement floors, or in a confined area.
A series of convulsive seizures called status epilepticus,
in which the convulsions continue non-stop, or are
followed by coma or a subsequent series of seizures.
These are life threatening, and the mortality risk is
high unless prompt treatment at a properly equipped
medical facility is available.
Episodes of automatic behavior, known as complex
partial seizures, in which the person, unaware of
where he is or what his circumstances are, injures him-
self in unconscious efforts to escape, or is injured in
struggles with law enforcement personnel. A person
having this type of seizure is on automatic pilot so far
as his actions are concerned. Efforts to restrain the
person can increase agitated behavior.
Could it be Epilepsy?
Only a physician can say for certain whether or not a per-
son has epilepsy. But many people miss the more subtle signs
of the condition and therefore also miss the opportunity for
early diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms listed below are
not necessarily indicators of epilepsy, and may be caused by
some other, unrelated condition. However, if one or more is
present, a medical check-up is recommended.
Periods of blackout, confusion or memory lapses.
Occasional fainting spells in which bladder or bowel
control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue.
Episodes of blank staring in children; brief periods when
theres no response to questions or instructions.
Sudden falls in a child for no apparent reason.
Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times.
A convulsion, with or without fever.
Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies.
diabetes
uncontrolled blood sugars
brain infections
heat exhaustion
rapid development of high
fever in young children
high blood pressure
in pregnancy
head injury
P r i n t e d o n F S C c e r t i f e d p a p e r
Seizure Recognition and First Aid
SEIZURE TYPE
WHAT IT
LOOKS LIKE
WHAT IT IS NOT WHAT TO DO WHAT NOT TO DO
Generalized Tonic Clonic
(Previously called
Grand Mal)
Sudden cry, fall, rigidity, followed
by muscle jerks, shallow breathing
or temporarily suspended breath
ing, bluish skin, possible loss of
bladder or bowel control, usually
lasts a couple of minutes. Normal
breathing then starts again. There
may be some confusion and/or
fatigue, followed by return to full
consciousness.
Heart attack.
Stroke.
Look for medical identification.
Protect from nearby hazards.
Loosen ties or shirt collars.
Protect head from injury.
Turn on side to keep airway clear
unless injury exists. Reassure as
consciousness returns.
If single seizure lasted less
than 5 minutes, ask if hospital
evaluation wanted.
If multiple seizures, or if one
seizure lasts longer than 5
minutes, call an ambulance. If
person is pregnant, injured, or
diabetic, call for aid at once.
Absence
(Previously called
Petit Mal)
A blank stare, beginning and ending
abruptly, lasting only a few seconds,
most common in children. May be
accom panied by rapid blinking,
some chewing movements of the
mouth. Child or adult is unaware of
whats going on during the seizure,
but quickly returns to full awareness
once it has stopped. May result in
learning difficulties if not recognized
and treated.
Daydreaming.
Lack of attention.
Deliberate ignoring of adult
instructions.
No first aid necessary,
but if this is the first
observation of the seizure(s),
medical evaluation should
be recommended.
Simple Partial
Jerking may begin in one area of
body, arm, leg, or face. Cant be
stopped, but patient stays awake
and aware. Jerking may proceed
from one area of the body to
another, and sometimes spreads to
become a convulsive seizure.
Partial sensory seizures may not
be obvious to an onlooker. Patient
experiences a distorted environ
ment. May see or hear things
that arent there, may feel unex
plained fear, sadness, anger, or
joy. May have nausea, experience
odd smells, and have a generally
funny feeling in the stomach.
Acting out, bizarre behavior.
Hysteria.
Mental illness.
Psychosomatic illness.
Parapsychological or mystical
experience.
No first aid necessary unless
seizure becomes convulsive,
then first aid as above
No immediate action needed
other than reassurance and
emotional support.
Medical evaluation should
be recommended.
Complex Partial
(Also called
Psychomotor
or Temporal Lobe)
Usually starts with blank stare,
followed by chewing, followed by
random activity. Person appears
unaware of surroundings, may
seem dazed and mumble.
Unrespon sive. Actions clumsy, not
directed. May pick at clothing, pick
up objects, try to take clothes off.
May run, appear afraid. May strug
gle or flail at restraint. Once pattern
established, same set of actions
usually occur with each seizure.
Lasts a few minutes, but postsei
zure confusion can last substan
tially longer. No memory of what
happened during seizure period.
Drunkenness.
Intoxication on drugs.
Mental illness.
Disorderly conduct.
Speak calmly and reassuringly
to patient and others.
Guide gently away from
obvious hazards.
Stay with person until com
pletely aware of environment.
Offer to help getting home.
Atonic Seizures
(Also called Drop
Attacks)
A child or adult suddenly
collapses and falls. After ten
seconds to a minute he recov
ers, regains consciousness, and
can stand and walk again.
Clumsiness.
Normal childhood stage.
In a child, lack of good walking skills.
In an adult, drunkenness,
acute illness.
No first aid needed (unless
he hurt himself as he fell), but
the person should be given a
thorough medical evaluation.
Myoclonic Seizures
Sudden brief, massive muscle
jerks that may involve the whole
body or parts of the body. May
cause person to spill what they
were holding or fall off a chair.
Clumsiness.
Poor coordination.
No first aid needed, but should
be given a thorough medical
evaluation.
Infantile Spasms These are clusters of quick, sud
den movements that start between
three months and two years. If a
child is sitting up, the head will fall
forward, and the arms will flex for
ward. If lying down, the knees will
be drawn up, with arms and head
flexed forward as if the baby is
reaching for support.
No first aid, but doctor
should be consulted.
Normal movements of the baby.
Colic.
Dont put any hard implement
in the mouth.
Dont try to hold the tongue.
It cant be swallowed.
Dont try to give liquids during
or just after a seizure.
Dont use artificial respiration
unless breathing is absent after
muscle jerks subside, or unless
water has been inhaled.
Dont restrain.
Dont grab hold unless sudden
danger (such as a cliff edge or an
approaching car) threatens.
Dont try to restrain.
Dont shout.
Dont expect verbal
instructions to be obeyed.
For further information about epilepsy and the name of the Epilepsy Foundation nearest you,
log on to www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call 800-332-1000.
About the Epilepsy Foundation
Te Epilepsy Foundation is the national voluntary
agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the more
than three million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and
their families. Te organization works to ensure that
people with seizures are able to participate in all life
experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy
through services, education, advocacy and research. In
addition to programs conducted at the national level,
people with epilepsy are also served by local Epilepsy
Foundation afliates across the country.
If you have any questions about epilepsy and seizure
disorders, living with epilepsy, or helping a friend
or family member who has epilepsy, please visit us
on the Web at www.EpilepsyFoundation.org or call
800-332-1000.
Our Web site has information about the disorder,
ofers opportunities to network with others touched
by epilepsy through our eCommunities forums and
Web events. You can also subscribe to our bi-monthly
magazine EpilepsyUSA. Each issue contains exciting
developments for people afected by seizure disor-
dersnew treatments and medicines, ground-break-
ing research, safety tips, personal stories, advice for
parents and much, much moreall delivered right to
your door.
Seizure Recognition
and First Aid
Epilepsy Foundations throughout the country have additional materials
and offer a variety of programs to help people understand this common disorder.
For further information about epilepsy and the name of the Epilepsy Foundation nearest you,
log on to www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call 800-332-1000.
This pamphlet is intended to provide basic information about epilepsy to the general public. It is not intended to, nor does it, constitute medical
advice. Readers are warned against changing medical schedules or life activities based on the information it contains without first consulting a physician.
300SFA 2009 Epilepsy Foundation of America, Inc.
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n a n d F i r s t A i d
W e h a v e a l m o s t t h r e e m i l l i o n r e a s o n s f o r w r i t i n g
t h i s p a m p h l e t f o r y o u . T h a t s h o w m a n y A m e r i c a n s h a v e
e p i l e p s y ( s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s ) .
Y o u m a y s e e s e v e r a l o f t h e m i n a d a y , a n d n o t e v e n
k n o w i t . P e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y l o o k j u s t l i k e e v e r y o n e
e l s e . . . e x c e p t w h e n t h e y h a v e a s e i z u r e .
E v e n t h e n y o u m i g h t n o t r e c o g n i z e w h a t y o u w e r e
s e e i n g .
Y o u m i g h t n o t k n o w t h a t t h e a c t i o n s o r m o v e m e n t s
t a k i n g p l a c e w e r e b e i n g c a u s e d b y a t e m p o r a r y m e d i c a l
c o n d i t i o n . T h a t l a c k o f k n o w l e d g e m i g h t l e a d y o u t o t a k e
a c t i o n s t h a t y o u , a n d t h e p e r s o n w i t h e p i l e p s y , m i g h t
l a t e r r e g r e t .
I f y o u a r e s o m e o n e w h o d e a l s f r e q u e n t l y w i t h t h e p u b -
l i c , a n d i f y o u h a v e n o t b e e n t a u g h t f i r s t a i d f o r s e i z u r e s ,
t h i s s h o r t s u m m a r y s h o u l d h e l p y o u r e c o g n i z e a s e i z u r e
w h e n i t h a p p e n s , a n d k n o w h o w t o g i v e b a s i c f i r s t a i d . . . i f
i t s n e e d e d .
W h a t i s E p i l e p s y ?
E p i l e p s y i s a c o m m o n n e u r o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n . I t i s t h e
g e n e r a l t e r m f o r m o r e t h a n 2 0 d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s p r o d u c e d b y b r i e f , t e m p o r a r y c h a n g e s i n t h e n o r -
m a l f u n c t i o n i n g o f t h e b r a i n s e l e c t r i c a l s y s t e m .
T h e s e b r i e f m a l f u n c t i o n s m e a n t h a t m o r e t h a n t h e u s u a l
a m o u n t o f e l e c t r i c a l e n e r g y p a s s e s b e t w e e n c e l l s . T h e s u d -
d e n o v e r l o a d m a y s t a y i n j u s t o n e s m a l l a r e a o f t h e b r a i n , o r
i t m a y s w a m p t h e w h o l e s y s t e m .
O f c o u r s e , y o u c a n t s e e w h a t s h a p p e n i n g i n s i d e a p e r -
s o n s b r a i n . B u t y o u c a n s e e t h e u n u s u a l b o d i l y m o v e m e n t s ,
t h e e f f e c t s o n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , a n d t h e c h a n g e d b e h a v i o r t h a t
t h e m a l f u n c t i o n i n g a r e a s a r e p r o d u c i n g . T h e s e c h a n g e s a r e
w h a t w e c a l l s e i z u r e s .
A s i n g l e s e i z u r e m a y b e c a u s e d b y a n u m b e r o f h e a l t h
c o n d i t i o n s . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s e , a b o u t o n e p e r s o n i n 1 0 0
h a s r e c u r r i n g s e i z u r e s , k n o w n a s e p i l e p s y . T w o o u t o f f o u r
n e w c a s e s b e g i n i n c h i l d h o o d . E p i l e p s y i n a d u l t s m a y b e t h e
r e s u l t o f h e a d i n j u r y o f t e n f r o m a u t o a c c i d e n t s o r m a y
d a t e f r o m t h e i r c h i l d h o o d y e a r s . E p i l e p s y i s n o t c o n t a g i o u s
a t a n y a g e .
R e c o g n i t i o n o f s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s a n d k n o w l e d g e o f f i r s t
a i d i s i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e i t i s v e r y e a s y t o m i s t a k e s o m e s e i -
z u r e s f o r s o m e o t h e r c o n d i t i o n .
A g e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c s e i z u r e i s a c o n v u l s i o n . B u t i t
m a y l o o k l i k e a h e a r t a t t a c k , a n d C P R t e c h n i q u e s m a y b e
u s e d w h e n t h e y a r e n o t n e c e s s a r y .
A p e r i o d o f a u t o m a t i c b e h a v i o r m a y b e i n t e r p r e t e d
a s b e i n g d r u n k o r h i g h o n i l l e g a l d r u g s . T h e f a c t t h a t
a p e r s o n u n d e r g o i n g t h i s k i n d o f s e i z u r e m a y h a v e
p h e n o b a r b i t a l ( a n a n t i e p i l e p t i c d r u g ) w i t h h i m a d d s
t o t h e c o n f u s i o n .
T y p e s o f S e i z u r e s
S e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s t a k e s e v e r a l f o r m s , d e p e n d i n g o n
w h e r e i n t h e b r a i n t h e m a l f u n c t i o n t a k e s p l a c e a n d h o w
m u c h o f t h e t o t a l b r a i n a r e a i s i n v o l v e d .
G e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c s e i z u r e s a r e t h e o n e s w h i c h
m o s t p e o p l e g e n e r a l l y t h i n k o f w h e n t h e y h e a r t h e w o r d
e p i l e p s y .
I n t h i s t y p e o f s e i z u r e t h e p e r s o n u n d e r g o e s c o n v u l s i o n s
w h i c h u s u a l l y l a s t f r o m t w o t o f i v e m i n u t e s , w i t h c o m p l e t e
l o s s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d m u s c l e s p a s m s .
A b s e n c e s e i z u r e s t a k e t h e f o r m o f a b l a n k s t a r e l a s t i n g
o n l y a f e w s e c o n d s . P a r t i a l s e i z u r e s p r o d u c e i n v o l u n t a r y
m o v e m e n t s o f a r m o r l e g , d i s t o r t e d s e n s a t i o n s , o r a p e r i o d
o f a u t o m a t i c m o v e m e n t i n w h i c h a w a r e n e s s i s b l u r r e d o r
c o m p l e t e l y a b s e n t .
S i n c e t h e s e s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s a r e s o d i f f e r e n t i n t h e i r
e f f e c t s , t h e y r e q u i r e d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f a c t i o n f r o m t h e p u b -
l i c . S o m e r e q u i r e n o a c t i o n a t a l l . T h e c h a r t o n t h e b a c k o f

t h i s p a m p h l e t d e s c r i b e s s e i z u r e s i n d e t a i l , a n d h o w t o h a n -
d l e e a c h t y p e . I t s b e e n p r o d u c e d i n t h i s f o r m t o e n c o u r a g e
p o s t i n g o n s t a f f b u l l e t i n b o a r d s o r o t h e r p l a c e s w h e r e i t c a n
e a s i l y b e s e e n b y p e o p l e w h o m e e t t h e p u b l i c .
F i r s t A i d f o r S e i z u r e s i n S p e c i a l
C i r c u m s t a n c e s
A l t h o u g h t h e c h a r t i n t h i s p a m p h l e t g i v e s i n f o r m a t i o n
o n b a s i c f i r s t a i d f o r a g e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c ( c o n v u l s i v e )
s e i z u r e , t h e r e a r e s o m e s p e c i a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h
a d d i t i o n a l s t e p s s h o u l d b e t a k e n , r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e t y p e
o f s e i z u r e .
A s e i z u r e i n w a t e r
I f a s e i z u r e o c c u r s i n w a t e r , t h e p e r s o n s h o u l d b e s u p -
p o r t e d i n t h e w a t e r w i t h t h e h e a d t i l t e d s o h i s f a c e a n d h e a d
s t a y a b o v e t h e s u r f a c e . H e s h o u l d b e r e m o v e d f r o m t h e w a t e r
a s q u i c k l y a s p o s s i b l e w i t h t h e h e a d i n t h i s p o s i t i o n . O n c e o n
d r y l a n d , h e s h o u l d b e e x a m i n e d a n d , i f h e i s n o t b r e a t h i n g ,
a r t i f i c i a l r e s p i r a t i o n s h o u l d b e b e g u n a t o n c e . A n y o n e w h o
h a s a s e i z u r e i n w a t e r s h o u l d b e t a k e n t o a n e m e r g e n c y r o o m
f o r a c a r e f u l m e d i c a l c h e c k u p , e v e n i f h e a p p e a r s t o b e f u l l y
r e c o v e r e d a f t e r w a r d s . H e a r t o r l u n g d a m a g e f r o m i n g e s t i o n
o f w a t e r i s a p o s s i b l e h a z a r d i n s u c h c a s e s . A d d i t i o n a l s a f e t y
c a n b e p r o v i d e d b y w e a r i n g a f l o t a t i o n d e v i c e .
A s e i z u r e i n a n a i r p l a n e
I f t h e p l a n e i s n o t f i l l e d , a n d i f t h e s e a t a r m s c a n
b e f o l d e d u p , p a s s e n g e r s t o t h e l e f t a n d / o r r i g h t o f t h e
a f f e c t e d p e r s o n m a y b e r e a s s i g n e d t o o t h e r s e a t s , s o t h a t
t h e p e r s o n h a v i n g t h e s e i z u r e c a n b e h e l p e d t o l i e a c r o s s
t w o o r m o r e s e a t s w i t h h e a d a n d b o d y t u r n e d o n o n e
s i d e .
O n c e c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a s f u l l y r e t u r n e d , t h e p e r s o n c a n
b e h e l p e d i n t o a r e s t i n g p o s i t i o n i n a s i n g l e r e c l i n i n g s e a t .
I f t h e r e a r e n o e m p t y s e a t s , t h e s e a t i n w h i c h t h e p e r -
s o n i s s i t t i n g c a n b e r e c l i n e d , a n d , o n c e t h e r i g i d i t y p h a s e
h a s p a s s e d , h e c a n b e t u r n e d g e n t l y w h i l e i n t h e s e a t s o
t h a t h e i s l e a n i n g t o w a r d s o n e s i d e .
P i l l o w s o r b l a n k e t s c a n b e a r r a n g e d s o t h a t t h e h e a d
d o e s n t h i t u n p a d d e d a r e a s o f t h e p l a n e . H o w e v e r , c a r e
s h o u l d b e t a k e n t h a t t h e a n g l e a t w h i c h t h e p e r s o n i s s i t -
t i n g i s s u c h t h a t h i s a i r w a y s t a y s c l e a r a n d b r e a t h i n g i s
u n o b s t r u c t e d .
A s e i z u r e o n a b u s
E a s e t h e p e r s o n a c r o s s a d o u b l e o r t r i p l e s e a t . T u r n
h i m o n h i s s i d e , a n d f o l l o w t h e s a m e s t e p s a s i n d i c a t e d
a b o v e . I f h e w i s h e s t o d o s o , t h e r e i s n o r e a s o n w h y a

p e r s o n w h o h a s f u l l y r e c o v e r e d f r o m a s e i z u r e c a n n o t s t a y
o n t h e b u s u n t i l h e a r r i v e s a t h i s d e s t i n a t i o n .
I s a n E m e r g e n c y R o o m V i s i t
N e e d e d ?
A n u n c o m p l i c a t e d c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e i n s o m e o n e w h o
h a s e p i l e p s y i s n o t a m e d i c a l e m e r g e n c y , e v e n t h o u g h i t
l o o k s l i k e o n e . I t s t o p s n a t u r a l l y a f t e r a f e w m i n u t e s w i t h -
o u t i l l e f f e c t s . T h e a v e r a g e p e r s o n i s a b l e t o c o n t i n u e a b o u t
h i s b u s i n e s s a f t e r a r e s t p e r i o d , a n d m a y n e e d o n l y l i m i t e d
a s s i s t a n c e , o r n o a s s i s t a n c e a t a l l , i n g e t t i n g h o m e .
H o w e v e r , o c c a s i o n a l l y a s e i z u r e w i l l f a i l t o s t o p n a t u r a l l y
a n d a s n o t e d e a r l i e r , t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n s
o t h e r t h a n e p i l e p s y t h a t c a n c a u s e s e i z u r e s . T h e s e i n c l u d e :
W h e n s e i z u r e s a r e c o n t i n u o u s o r a n y o f t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s
e x i s t , i m m e d i a t e m e d i c a l a t t e n t i o n i s n e c e s s a r y .
T h e f o l l o w i n g a r e s o m e s u g g e s t i o n s t o h e l p p e o p l e w i t h
e p i l e p s y a v o i d u n n e c e s s a r y a n d e x p e n s i v e t r i p s t o t h e e m e r -
g e n c y r o o m a n d t o h e l p y o u d e c i d e w h e t h e r o r n o t t o c a l l
a n a m b u l a n c e :
N o n e e d t o c a l l a n a m b u l a n c e
1 . I f m e d i c a l I . D . j e w e l r y o r c a r d s a y s e p i l e p s y .
2 . I f t h e s e i z u r e e n d s i n u n d e r f i v e m i n u t e s .
3 . I f c o n s c i o u s n e s s r e t u r n s w i t h o u t f u r t h e r i n c i d e n t .
4 . I f t h e r e a r e n o s i g n s o f i n j u r y , p h y s i c a l d i s t r e s s ,
o r p r e g n a n c y .
A n a m b u l a n c e s h o u l d b e c a l l e d
1 . I f t h e s e i z u r e h a s h a p p e n e d i n w a t e r .
2 . I f t h e r e s n o m e d i c a l I . D . , a n d n o w a y o f k n o w i n g
w h e t h e r t h e s e i z u r e i s c a u s e d b y e p i l e p s y .
3 . I f t h e p e r s o n i s p r e g n a n t , i n j u r e d , o r d i a b e t i c .
4 . I f t h e s e i z u r e c o n t i n u e s f o r m o r e t h a n f i v e m i n u t e s .
5 . I f a s e c o n d s e i z u r e s t a r t s s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e f i r s t
h a s e n d e d .
6 . I f c o n s c i o u s n e s s d o e s n o t s t a r t t o r e t u r n a f t e r t h e s h a k -
i n g h a s s t o p p e d .
I f t h e a m b u l a n c e a r r i v e s a f t e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a s r e t u r n e d ,
t h e p e r s o n s h o u l d b e a s k e d w h e t h e r t h e s e i z u r e w a s a s s o c i a t e d
w i t h e p i l e p s y a n d w h e t h e r e m e r g e n c y r o o m c a r e i s w a n t e d .
I n d i v i d u a l i z e d a i d
S o m e p e o p l e m a y r e q u i r e i n d i v i d u a l i z e d c a r e p l a n s t h a t
i n c l u d e w a y s t o t r e a t t h e p e r s o n d u r i n g a s e i z u r e . F o r e x a m -
p l e , p e o p l e w h o u s e a m a g n e t w i t h a v a g u s n e r v e s t i m u l a t o r o r
t h o s e w h o u s e s p e c i a l t y p e s o f m e d i c a t i o n t o t r e a t c l u s t e r s e i -
z u r e s w i l l r e q u i r e s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e u s e o f t h e s e t h e r a -
p i e s . T h i s i n s t r u c t i o n f a l l s o u t s i d e t h e s c o p e o f b a s i c s e i z u r e
f i r s t a i d a n d s h o u l d b e i n d i v i d u a l i z e d f o r e a c h p e r s o n .
F o r L a w E n f o r c e m e n t O f f i c e r s :
E p i l e p s y a n d D r u g s
D e s p i t e m e d i c a l p r o g r e s s , e p i l e p s y c a n n o t b e c u r e d i n
t h e s a m e s e n s e t h a t a n i n f e c t i o n c a n b e c u r e d . H o w e v e r ,
s e i z u r e s c a n b e c o n t r o l l e d c o m p l e t e l y o r s i g n i f i c a n t l y
r e d u c e d i n m o s t p e o p l e w h o h a v e t h e d i s o r d e r . T h i s c o n t r o l
i s a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h r e g u l a r , d a i l y u s e o f a n t i s e i z u r e d r u g s
c a l l e d a n t i c o n v u l s a n t s . D o s e s m a y h a v e t o b e t a k e n u p t o
f o u r t i m e s a d a y , a n d p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y t h e r e f o r e u s u a l l y
c a r r y m e d i c a t i o n w i t h t h e m . T o m i s s a s c h e d u l e d d o s e i s t o
r i s k a s e i z u r e .
M a n y m e d i c a t i o n s a r e u s e d i n t h e t r e a t m e n t o f e p i l e p s y .
M o r e t h a n o n e d r u g m a y b e p r e s c r i b e d . A m o n g t h e m a r e
p h e n o b a r b i t a l , A t i v a n ( l o r a z e p a m ) , K l o n o p i n ( c l o n a z e p a m ) ,
T r a n x e n e ( c l o r a z e p a t e ) a n d V a l i u m ( d i a z e p a m ) .
I f a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r h a s a n y d o u b t s a b o u t t h e
l e g a l i t y o f a p e r s o n s p o s s e s s i o n o f m e d i c a t i o n , t h e p h y s i -
c i a n w h o p r e s c r i b e d t h e d r u g ( o r t h e p h a r m a c y w h i c h d i s -
p e n s e d i t ) s h o u l d b e c o n t a c t e d w i t h o u t d e l a y . D e p r i v i n g a
p e r s o n w i t h e p i l e p s y o f a c c e s s t o h i s m e d i c a t i o n i s p u t t i n g
h i s h e a l t h e v e n h i s l i f e a t r i s k .
W h e n m e d i c a t i o n i s t a k e n a w a y , f o r e v e n a s l i t t l e a s s e v -
e r a l h o u r s , t h e f o l l o w i n g m a y h a p p e n :
A c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e w i t h s u b s e q u e n t i n j u r y d u e t o f a l l -
i n g o n c e m e n t f l o o r s , o r i n a c o n f i n e d a r e a .
A s e r i e s o f c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e s c a l l e d s t a t u s e p i l e p t i c u s ,
i n w h i c h t h e c o n v u l s i o n s c o n t i n u e n o n - s t o p , o r a r e
f o l l o w e d b y c o m a o r a s u b s e q u e n t s e r i e s o f s e i z u r e s .
T h e s e a r e l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g , a n d t h e m o r t a l i t y r i s k i s
h i g h u n l e s s p r o m p t t r e a t m e n t a t a p r o p e r l y e q u i p p e d
m e d i c a l f a c i l i t y i s a v a i l a b l e .
E p i s o d e s o f a u t o m a t i c b e h a v i o r , k n o w n a s c o m p l e x
p a r t i a l s e i z u r e s , i n w h i c h t h e p e r s o n , u n a w a r e o f
w h e r e h e i s o r w h a t h i s c i r c u m s t a n c e s a r e , i n j u r e s h i m -
s e l f i n u n c o n s c i o u s e f f o r t s t o e s c a p e , o r i s i n j u r e d i n
s t r u g g l e s w i t h l a w e n f o r c e m e n t p e r s o n n e l . A p e r s o n
h a v i n g t h i s t y p e o f s e i z u r e i s o n a u t o m a t i c p i l o t s o f a r
a s h i s a c t i o n s a r e c o n c e r n e d . E f f o r t s t o r e s t r a i n t h e
p e r s o n c a n i n c r e a s e a g i t a t e d b e h a v i o r .
C o u l d i t b e E p i l e p s y ?
O n l y a p h y s i c i a n c a n s a y f o r c e r t a i n w h e t h e r o r n o t a p e r -
s o n h a s e p i l e p s y . B u t m a n y p e o p l e m i s s t h e m o r e s u b t l e s i g n s
o f t h e c o n d i t i o n a n d t h e r e f o r e a l s o m i s s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r
e a r l y d i a g n o s i s a n d t r e a t m e n t . T h e s y m p t o m s l i s t e d b e l o w a r e
n o t n e c e s s a r i l y i n d i c a t o r s o f e p i l e p s y , a n d m a y b e c a u s e d b y
s o m e o t h e r , u n r e l a t e d c o n d i t i o n . H o w e v e r , i f o n e o r m o r e i s
p r e s e n t , a m e d i c a l c h e c k - u p i s r e c o m m e n d e d .
P e r i o d s o f b l a c k o u t , c o n f u s i o n o r m e m o r y l a p s e s .
O c c a s i o n a l f a i n t i n g s p e l l s i n w h i c h b l a d d e r o r b o w e l
c o n t r o l i s l o s t , f o l l o w e d b y e x t r e m e f a t i g u e .
E p i s o d e s o f b l a n k s t a r i n g i n c h i l d r e n ; b r i e f p e r i o d s w h e n
t h e r e s n o r e s p o n s e t o q u e s t i o n s o r i n s t r u c t i o n s .
S u d d e n f a l l s i n a c h i l d f o r n o a p p a r e n t r e a s o n .
E p i s o d e s o f b l i n k i n g o r c h e w i n g a t i n a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e s .
A c o n v u l s i o n , w i t h o r w i t h o u t f e v e r .
C l u s t e r s o f s w i f t j e r k i n g m o v e m e n t s i n b a b i e s .
d i a b e t e s
u n c o n t r o l l e d b l o o d s u g a r s
b r a i n i n f e c t i o n s
h e a t e x h a u s t i o n
r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t o f h i g h
f e v e r i n y o u n g c h i l d r e n
h i g h b l o o d p r e s s u r e
i n p r e g n a n c y
h e a d i n j u r y
Printed on FSC certifed paper
About the Epilepsy Foundation
Te Epilepsy Foundation is the national voluntary
agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the more
than three million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and
their families. Te organization works to ensure that
people with seizures are able to participate in all life
experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy
through services, education, advocacy and research. In
addition to programs conducted at the national level,
people with epilepsy are also served by local Epilepsy
Foundation afliates across the country.
If you have any questions about epilepsy and seizure
disorders, living with epilepsy, or helping a friend
or family member who has epilepsy, please visit us
on the Web at www.EpilepsyFoundation.org or call
800-332-1000.
Our Web site has information about the disorder,
ofers opportunities to network with others touched
by epilepsy through our eCommunities forums and
Web events. You can also subscribe to our bi-monthly
magazine EpilepsyUSA. Each issue contains exciting
developments for people afected by seizure disor-
dersnew treatments and medicines, ground-break-
ing research, safety tips, personal stories, advice for
parents and much, much moreall delivered right to
your door.
Seizure Recognition
and First Aid
Epilepsy Foundations throughout the country have additional materials
and offer a variety of programs to help people understand this common disorder.
For further information about epilepsy and the name of the Epilepsy Foundation nearest you,
log on to www.epilepsyfoundation.org or call 800-332-1000.
This pamphlet is intended to provide basic information about epilepsy to the general public. It is not intended to, nor does it, constitute medical
advice. Readers are warned against changing medical schedules or life activities based on the information it contains without first consulting a physician.
300SFA 2009 Epilepsy Foundation of America, Inc.
S e i z u r e R e c o g n i t i o n a n d F i r s t A i d
W e h a v e a l m o s t t h r e e m i l l i o n r e a s o n s f o r w r i t i n g
t h i s p a m p h l e t f o r y o u . T h a t s h o w m a n y A m e r i c a n s h a v e
e p i l e p s y ( s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s ) .
Y o u m a y s e e s e v e r a l o f t h e m i n a d a y , a n d n o t e v e n
k n o w i t . P e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y l o o k j u s t l i k e e v e r y o n e
e l s e . . . e x c e p t w h e n t h e y h a v e a s e i z u r e .
E v e n t h e n y o u m i g h t n o t r e c o g n i z e w h a t y o u w e r e
s e e i n g .
Y o u m i g h t n o t k n o w t h a t t h e a c t i o n s o r m o v e m e n t s
t a k i n g p l a c e w e r e b e i n g c a u s e d b y a t e m p o r a r y m e d i c a l
c o n d i t i o n . T h a t l a c k o f k n o w l e d g e m i g h t l e a d y o u t o t a k e
a c t i o n s t h a t y o u , a n d t h e p e r s o n w i t h e p i l e p s y , m i g h t
l a t e r r e g r e t .
I f y o u a r e s o m e o n e w h o d e a l s f r e q u e n t l y w i t h t h e p u b -
l i c , a n d i f y o u h a v e n o t b e e n t a u g h t f i r s t a i d f o r s e i z u r e s ,
t h i s s h o r t s u m m a r y s h o u l d h e l p y o u r e c o g n i z e a s e i z u r e
w h e n i t h a p p e n s , a n d k n o w h o w t o g i v e b a s i c f i r s t a i d . . . i f
i t s n e e d e d .
W h a t i s E p i l e p s y ?
E p i l e p s y i s a c o m m o n n e u r o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n . I t i s t h e
g e n e r a l t e r m f o r m o r e t h a n 2 0 d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f s e i z u r e
d i s o r d e r s p r o d u c e d b y b r i e f , t e m p o r a r y c h a n g e s i n t h e n o r -
m a l f u n c t i o n i n g o f t h e b r a i n s e l e c t r i c a l s y s t e m .
T h e s e b r i e f m a l f u n c t i o n s m e a n t h a t m o r e t h a n t h e u s u a l
a m o u n t o f e l e c t r i c a l e n e r g y p a s s e s b e t w e e n c e l l s . T h e s u d -
d e n o v e r l o a d m a y s t a y i n j u s t o n e s m a l l a r e a o f t h e b r a i n , o r
i t m a y s w a m p t h e w h o l e s y s t e m .
O f c o u r s e , y o u c a n t s e e w h a t s h a p p e n i n g i n s i d e a p e r -
s o n s b r a i n . B u t y o u c a n s e e t h e u n u s u a l b o d i l y m o v e m e n t s ,
t h e e f f e c t s o n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , a n d t h e c h a n g e d b e h a v i o r t h a t
t h e m a l f u n c t i o n i n g a r e a s a r e p r o d u c i n g . T h e s e c h a n g e s a r e
w h a t w e c a l l s e i z u r e s .
A s i n g l e s e i z u r e m a y b e c a u s e d b y a n u m b e r o f h e a l t h
c o n d i t i o n s . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s e , a b o u t o n e p e r s o n i n 1 0 0
h a s r e c u r r i n g s e i z u r e s , k n o w n a s e p i l e p s y . T w o o u t o f f o u r
n e w c a s e s b e g i n i n c h i l d h o o d . E p i l e p s y i n a d u l t s m a y b e t h e
r e s u l t o f h e a d i n j u r y o f t e n f r o m a u t o a c c i d e n t s o r m a y
d a t e f r o m t h e i r c h i l d h o o d y e a r s . E p i l e p s y i s n o t c o n t a g i o u s
a t a n y a g e .
R e c o g n i t i o n o f s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s a n d k n o w l e d g e o f f i r s t
a i d i s i m p o r t a n t b e c a u s e i t i s v e r y e a s y t o m i s t a k e s o m e s e i -
z u r e s f o r s o m e o t h e r c o n d i t i o n .
A g e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c s e i z u r e i s a c o n v u l s i o n . B u t i t
m a y l o o k l i k e a h e a r t a t t a c k , a n d C P R t e c h n i q u e s m a y b e
u s e d w h e n t h e y a r e n o t n e c e s s a r y .
A p e r i o d o f a u t o m a t i c b e h a v i o r m a y b e i n t e r p r e t e d
a s b e i n g d r u n k o r h i g h o n i l l e g a l d r u g s . T h e f a c t t h a t
a p e r s o n u n d e r g o i n g t h i s k i n d o f s e i z u r e m a y h a v e
p h e n o b a r b i t a l ( a n a n t i e p i l e p t i c d r u g ) w i t h h i m a d d s
t o t h e c o n f u s i o n .
T y p e s o f S e i z u r e s
S e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s t a k e s e v e r a l f o r m s , d e p e n d i n g o n
w h e r e i n t h e b r a i n t h e m a l f u n c t i o n t a k e s p l a c e a n d h o w
m u c h o f t h e t o t a l b r a i n a r e a i s i n v o l v e d .
G e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c s e i z u r e s a r e t h e o n e s w h i c h
m o s t p e o p l e g e n e r a l l y t h i n k o f w h e n t h e y h e a r t h e w o r d
e p i l e p s y .
I n t h i s t y p e o f s e i z u r e t h e p e r s o n u n d e r g o e s c o n v u l s i o n s
w h i c h u s u a l l y l a s t f r o m t w o t o f i v e m i n u t e s , w i t h c o m p l e t e
l o s s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d m u s c l e s p a s m s .
A b s e n c e s e i z u r e s t a k e t h e f o r m o f a b l a n k s t a r e l a s t i n g
o n l y a f e w s e c o n d s . P a r t i a l s e i z u r e s p r o d u c e i n v o l u n t a r y
m o v e m e n t s o f a r m o r l e g , d i s t o r t e d s e n s a t i o n s , o r a p e r i o d
o f a u t o m a t i c m o v e m e n t i n w h i c h a w a r e n e s s i s b l u r r e d o r
c o m p l e t e l y a b s e n t .
S i n c e t h e s e s e i z u r e d i s o r d e r s a r e s o d i f f e r e n t i n t h e i r
e f f e c t s , t h e y r e q u i r e d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f a c t i o n f r o m t h e p u b -
l i c . S o m e r e q u i r e n o a c t i o n a t a l l . T h e c h a r t o n t h e b a c k o f

t h i s p a m p h l e t d e s c r i b e s s e i z u r e s i n d e t a i l , a n d h o w t o h a n -
d l e e a c h t y p e . I t s b e e n p r o d u c e d i n t h i s f o r m t o e n c o u r a g e
p o s t i n g o n s t a f f b u l l e t i n b o a r d s o r o t h e r p l a c e s w h e r e i t c a n
e a s i l y b e s e e n b y p e o p l e w h o m e e t t h e p u b l i c .
F i r s t A i d f o r S e i z u r e s i n S p e c i a l
C i r c u m s t a n c e s
A l t h o u g h t h e c h a r t i n t h i s p a m p h l e t g i v e s i n f o r m a t i o n
o n b a s i c f i r s t a i d f o r a g e n e r a l i z e d t o n i c c l o n i c ( c o n v u l s i v e )
s e i z u r e , t h e r e a r e s o m e s p e c i a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h
a d d i t i o n a l s t e p s s h o u l d b e t a k e n , r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e t y p e
o f s e i z u r e .
A s e i z u r e i n w a t e r
I f a s e i z u r e o c c u r s i n w a t e r , t h e p e r s o n s h o u l d b e s u p -
p o r t e d i n t h e w a t e r w i t h t h e h e a d t i l t e d s o h i s f a c e a n d h e a d
s t a y a b o v e t h e s u r f a c e . H e s h o u l d b e r e m o v e d f r o m t h e w a t e r
a s q u i c k l y a s p o s s i b l e w i t h t h e h e a d i n t h i s p o s i t i o n . O n c e o n
d r y l a n d , h e s h o u l d b e e x a m i n e d a n d , i f h e i s n o t b r e a t h i n g ,
a r t i f i c i a l r e s p i r a t i o n s h o u l d b e b e g u n a t o n c e . A n y o n e w h o
h a s a s e i z u r e i n w a t e r s h o u l d b e t a k e n t o a n e m e r g e n c y r o o m
f o r a c a r e f u l m e d i c a l c h e c k u p , e v e n i f h e a p p e a r s t o b e f u l l y
r e c o v e r e d a f t e r w a r d s . H e a r t o r l u n g d a m a g e f r o m i n g e s t i o n
o f w a t e r i s a p o s s i b l e h a z a r d i n s u c h c a s e s . A d d i t i o n a l s a f e t y
c a n b e p r o v i d e d b y w e a r i n g a f l o t a t i o n d e v i c e .
A s e i z u r e i n a n a i r p l a n e
I f t h e p l a n e i s n o t f i l l e d , a n d i f t h e s e a t a r m s c a n
b e f o l d e d u p , p a s s e n g e r s t o t h e l e f t a n d / o r r i g h t o f t h e
a f f e c t e d p e r s o n m a y b e r e a s s i g n e d t o o t h e r s e a t s , s o t h a t
t h e p e r s o n h a v i n g t h e s e i z u r e c a n b e h e l p e d t o l i e a c r o s s
t w o o r m o r e s e a t s w i t h h e a d a n d b o d y t u r n e d o n o n e
s i d e .
O n c e c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a s f u l l y r e t u r n e d , t h e p e r s o n c a n
b e h e l p e d i n t o a r e s t i n g p o s i t i o n i n a s i n g l e r e c l i n i n g s e a t .
I f t h e r e a r e n o e m p t y s e a t s , t h e s e a t i n w h i c h t h e p e r -
s o n i s s i t t i n g c a n b e r e c l i n e d , a n d , o n c e t h e r i g i d i t y p h a s e
h a s p a s s e d , h e c a n b e t u r n e d g e n t l y w h i l e i n t h e s e a t s o
t h a t h e i s l e a n i n g t o w a r d s o n e s i d e .
P i l l o w s o r b l a n k e t s c a n b e a r r a n g e d s o t h a t t h e h e a d
d o e s n t h i t u n p a d d e d a r e a s o f t h e p l a n e . H o w e v e r , c a r e
s h o u l d b e t a k e n t h a t t h e a n g l e a t w h i c h t h e p e r s o n i s s i t -
t i n g i s s u c h t h a t h i s a i r w a y s t a y s c l e a r a n d b r e a t h i n g i s
u n o b s t r u c t e d .
A s e i z u r e o n a b u s
E a s e t h e p e r s o n a c r o s s a d o u b l e o r t r i p l e s e a t . T u r n
h i m o n h i s s i d e , a n d f o l l o w t h e s a m e s t e p s a s i n d i c a t e d
a b o v e . I f h e w i s h e s t o d o s o , t h e r e i s n o r e a s o n w h y a

p e r s o n w h o h a s f u l l y r e c o v e r e d f r o m a s e i z u r e c a n n o t s t a y
o n t h e b u s u n t i l h e a r r i v e s a t h i s d e s t i n a t i o n .
I s a n E m e r g e n c y R o o m V i s i t
N e e d e d ?
A n u n c o m p l i c a t e d c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e i n s o m e o n e w h o
h a s e p i l e p s y i s n o t a m e d i c a l e m e r g e n c y , e v e n t h o u g h i t
l o o k s l i k e o n e . I t s t o p s n a t u r a l l y a f t e r a f e w m i n u t e s w i t h -
o u t i l l e f f e c t s . T h e a v e r a g e p e r s o n i s a b l e t o c o n t i n u e a b o u t
h i s b u s i n e s s a f t e r a r e s t p e r i o d , a n d m a y n e e d o n l y l i m i t e d
a s s i s t a n c e , o r n o a s s i s t a n c e a t a l l , i n g e t t i n g h o m e .
H o w e v e r , o c c a s i o n a l l y a s e i z u r e w i l l f a i l t o s t o p n a t u r a l l y
a n d a s n o t e d e a r l i e r , t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n s
o t h e r t h a n e p i l e p s y t h a t c a n c a u s e s e i z u r e s . T h e s e i n c l u d e :
W h e n s e i z u r e s a r e c o n t i n u o u s o r a n y o f t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s
e x i s t , i m m e d i a t e m e d i c a l a t t e n t i o n i s n e c e s s a r y .
T h e f o l l o w i n g a r e s o m e s u g g e s t i o n s t o h e l p p e o p l e w i t h
e p i l e p s y a v o i d u n n e c e s s a r y a n d e x p e n s i v e t r i p s t o t h e e m e r -
g e n c y r o o m a n d t o h e l p y o u d e c i d e w h e t h e r o r n o t t o c a l l
a n a m b u l a n c e :
N o n e e d t o c a l l a n a m b u l a n c e
1 . I f m e d i c a l I . D . j e w e l r y o r c a r d s a y s e p i l e p s y .
2 . I f t h e s e i z u r e e n d s i n u n d e r f i v e m i n u t e s .
3 . I f c o n s c i o u s n e s s r e t u r n s w i t h o u t f u r t h e r i n c i d e n t .
4 . I f t h e r e a r e n o s i g n s o f i n j u r y , p h y s i c a l d i s t r e s s ,
o r p r e g n a n c y .
A n a m b u l a n c e s h o u l d b e c a l l e d
1 . I f t h e s e i z u r e h a s h a p p e n e d i n w a t e r .
2 . I f t h e r e s n o m e d i c a l I . D . , a n d n o w a y o f k n o w i n g
w h e t h e r t h e s e i z u r e i s c a u s e d b y e p i l e p s y .
3 . I f t h e p e r s o n i s p r e g n a n t , i n j u r e d , o r d i a b e t i c .
4 . I f t h e s e i z u r e c o n t i n u e s f o r m o r e t h a n f i v e m i n u t e s .
5 . I f a s e c o n d s e i z u r e s t a r t s s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e f i r s t
h a s e n d e d .
6 . I f c o n s c i o u s n e s s d o e s n o t s t a r t t o r e t u r n a f t e r t h e s h a k -
i n g h a s s t o p p e d .
I f t h e a m b u l a n c e a r r i v e s a f t e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a s r e t u r n e d ,
t h e p e r s o n s h o u l d b e a s k e d w h e t h e r t h e s e i z u r e w a s a s s o c i a t e d
w i t h e p i l e p s y a n d w h e t h e r e m e r g e n c y r o o m c a r e i s w a n t e d .
I n d i v i d u a l i z e d a i d
S o m e p e o p l e m a y r e q u i r e i n d i v i d u a l i z e d c a r e p l a n s t h a t
i n c l u d e w a y s t o t r e a t t h e p e r s o n d u r i n g a s e i z u r e . F o r e x a m -
p l e , p e o p l e w h o u s e a m a g n e t w i t h a v a g u s n e r v e s t i m u l a t o r o r
t h o s e w h o u s e s p e c i a l t y p e s o f m e d i c a t i o n t o t r e a t c l u s t e r s e i -
z u r e s w i l l r e q u i r e s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e u s e o f t h e s e t h e r a -
p i e s . T h i s i n s t r u c t i o n f a l l s o u t s i d e t h e s c o p e o f b a s i c s e i z u r e
f i r s t a i d a n d s h o u l d b e i n d i v i d u a l i z e d f o r e a c h p e r s o n .
F o r L a w E n f o r c e m e n t O f f i c e r s :
E p i l e p s y a n d D r u g s
D e s p i t e m e d i c a l p r o g r e s s , e p i l e p s y c a n n o t b e c u r e d i n
t h e s a m e s e n s e t h a t a n i n f e c t i o n c a n b e c u r e d . H o w e v e r ,
s e i z u r e s c a n b e c o n t r o l l e d c o m p l e t e l y o r s i g n i f i c a n t l y
r e d u c e d i n m o s t p e o p l e w h o h a v e t h e d i s o r d e r . T h i s c o n t r o l
i s a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h r e g u l a r , d a i l y u s e o f a n t i s e i z u r e d r u g s
c a l l e d a n t i c o n v u l s a n t s . D o s e s m a y h a v e t o b e t a k e n u p t o
f o u r t i m e s a d a y , a n d p e o p l e w i t h e p i l e p s y t h e r e f o r e u s u a l l y
c a r r y m e d i c a t i o n w i t h t h e m . T o m i s s a s c h e d u l e d d o s e i s t o
r i s k a s e i z u r e .
M a n y m e d i c a t i o n s a r e u s e d i n t h e t r e a t m e n t o f e p i l e p s y .
M o r e t h a n o n e d r u g m a y b e p r e s c r i b e d . A m o n g t h e m a r e
p h e n o b a r b i t a l , A t i v a n ( l o r a z e p a m ) , K l o n o p i n ( c l o n a z e p a m ) ,
T r a n x e n e ( c l o r a z e p a t e ) a n d V a l i u m ( d i a z e p a m ) .
I f a l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r h a s a n y d o u b t s a b o u t t h e
l e g a l i t y o f a p e r s o n s p o s s e s s i o n o f m e d i c a t i o n , t h e p h y s i -
c i a n w h o p r e s c r i b e d t h e d r u g ( o r t h e p h a r m a c y w h i c h d i s -
p e n s e d i t ) s h o u l d b e c o n t a c t e d w i t h o u t d e l a y . D e p r i v i n g a
p e r s o n w i t h e p i l e p s y o f a c c e s s t o h i s m e d i c a t i o n i s p u t t i n g
h i s h e a l t h e v e n h i s l i f e a t r i s k .
W h e n m e d i c a t i o n i s t a k e n a w a y , f o r e v e n a s l i t t l e a s s e v -
e r a l h o u r s , t h e f o l l o w i n g m a y h a p p e n :
A c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e w i t h s u b s e q u e n t i n j u r y d u e t o f a l l -
i n g o n c e m e n t f l o o r s , o r i n a c o n f i n e d a r e a .
A s e r i e s o f c o n v u l s i v e s e i z u r e s c a l l e d s t a t u s e p i l e p t i c u s ,
i n w h i c h t h e c o n v u l s i o n s c o n t i n u e n o n - s t o p , o r a r e
f o l l o w e d b y c o m a o r a s u b s e q u e n t s e r i e s o f s e i z u r e s .
T h e s e a r e l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g , a n d t h e m o r t a l i t y r i s k i s
h i g h u n l e s s p r o m p t t r e a t m e n t a t a p r o p e r l y e q u i p p e d
m e d i c a l f a c i l i t y i s a v a i l a b l e .
E p i s o d e s o f a u t o m a t i c b e h a v i o r , k n o w n a s c o m p l e x
p a r t i a l s e i z u r e s , i n w h i c h t h e p e r s o n , u n a w a r e o f
w h e r e h e i s o r w h a t h i s c i r c u m s t a n c e s a r e , i n j u r e s h i m -
s e l f i n u n c o n s c i o u s e f f o r t s t o e s c a p e , o r i s i n j u r e d i n
s t r u g g l e s w i t h l a w e n f o r c e m e n t p e r s o n n e l . A p e r s o n
h a v i n g t h i s t y p e o f s e i z u r e i s o n a u t o m a t i c p i l o t s o f a r
a s h i s a c t i o n s a r e c o n c e r n e d . E f f o r t s t o r e s t r a i n t h e
p e r s o n c a n i n c r e a s e a g i t a t e d b e h a v i o r .
C o u l d i t b e E p i l e p s y ?
O n l y a p h y s i c i a n c a n s a y f o r c e r t a i n w h e t h e r o r n o t a p e r -
s o n h a s e p i l e p s y . B u t m a n y p e o p l e m i s s t h e m o r e s u b t l e s i g n s
o f t h e c o n d i t i o n a n d t h e r e f o r e a l s o m i s s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r
e a r l y d i a g n o s i s a n d t r e a t m e n t . T h e s y m p t o m s l i s t e d b e l o w a r e
n o t n e c e s s a r i l y i n d i c a t o r s o f e p i l e p s y , a n d m a y b e c a u s e d b y
s o m e o t h e r , u n r e l a t e d c o n d i t i o n . H o w e v e r , i f o n e o r m o r e i s
p r e s e n t , a m e d i c a l c h e c k - u p i s r e c o m m e n d e d .
P e r i o d s o f b l a c k o u t , c o n f u s i o n o r m e m o r y l a p s e s .
O c c a s i o n a l f a i n t i n g s p e l l s i n w h i c h b l a d d e r o r b o w e l
c o n t r o l i s l o s t , f o l l o w e d b y e x t r e m e f a t i g u e .
E p i s o d e s o f b l a n k s t a r i n g i n c h i l d r e n ; b r i e f p e r i o d s w h e n
t h e r e s n o r e s p o n s e t o q u e s t i o n s o r i n s t r u c t i o n s .
S u d d e n f a l l s i n a c h i l d f o r n o a p p a r e n t r e a s o n .
E p i s o d e s o f b l i n k i n g o r c h e w i n g a t i n a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e s .
A c o n v u l s i o n , w i t h o r w i t h o u t f e v e r .
C l u s t e r s o f s w i f t j e r k i n g m o v e m e n t s i n b a b i e s .
d i a b e t e s
u n c o n t r o l l e d b l o o d s u g a r s
b r a i n i n f e c t i o n s
h e a t e x h a u s t i o n
r a p i d d e v e l o p m e n t o f h i g h
f e v e r i n y o u n g c h i l d r e n
h i g h b l o o d p r e s s u r e
i n p r e g n a n c y
h e a d i n j u r y
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