About Seizures

What is a seizure?

Types of Seizures

There are 3 major groups of seizures.

Seizures are generally described in two major groups: generalized seizures and focal seizures. The difference between types of seizures is in how and where they begin in the brain. When considering the types of seizures, think about these important areas.

  1. The onset of beginning of the seizure.
  2. A person’s level of awareness during a seizure.
  3. Whether movements happen during a seizure.
Generalized Onset Seizures
Generalized Onset Seizures

These seizures affect both side of the brain or groups of cells on both sides of the brain at the same time.

Focal Onset Seizures
Focal Onset Seizures

Focal seizures can start in one area or group of cells in one side of the brain.

Unknown Onset Seizures
Unknown Onset Seizures

When the beginning of a seizure is not known or if it’s not witnessed or seen by anyone, is called an unknown onset seizures.

Symptoms During a Seizure

Many different symptoms happen during a seizure.

It’s not unusual that a person doesn’t know the type of seizure they have. Often seizures are diagnosed based on descriptions of what an observer has seen.

For Generalized Onset Seizures

  • Motor symptoms may include sustained rhythmical jerking movements (clonic), muscles becoming weak or limp (atonic), muscles becoming tense or rigid (tonic), brief muscle twitching (myoclonus), or epileptic spasms (body flexes and extends repeatedly).
  • Non-motor symptoms are usually called absence seizures. These can be typical or atypical absence seizures (also known as staring spells). Absence seizures can also have brief twitches that can affect a specific part of the body or just the eyelids.

For Focal Onset Seizures

  • Motor symptoms may also include jerking (clonic), muscles becoming weak or limp (atonic), tense or rigid muscles (tonic), brief muscles twitching (myoclonus), or epileptic spasms. There may also be automatisms or repeated automatic movements, like clapping or rubbing of hands, lip smacking or chewing, or running.
  • Non-motor symptoms: Examples of symptoms that don’t affect movement could be changes in sensation, emotions, thinking or cognition, autonomic functions (such as gastrointestinal sensations, waves of heat or cold, goosebumps, heart racing, etc.), or lack of movements (called behavior arrest).

For Unknown Onset Seizures

  • Motor symptoms are described as either tonic-clonic or epileptic spasms.
  • Non-motor symptoms usually include a behavior arrest. This means that movement stops — the person may just stare and not make any other movements.

Seizure First Aid

Stay

STAY with the person and start timing the seizure.

  • Remain calm — it will help others stay calm.
  • Check for medical ID.
  • Look at your watch and time the seizure from beginning to the end of the active seizure.
  • While most seizures only last a few minutes, seizures can be unpredictable.

Safe

Keep the person SAFE.

  • Move or guide away from harmful or sharp objects
  • If a person is wandering or confused, help steer them clear of dangerous situations.
  • Encourage people to step back and give the person some room.
  • Ask someone to stay nearby in case further help is needed.

Side

Turn the person onto their SIDE if they are not awake and aware.

  • Make the person as comfortable as possible.
  • Loosen tight clothes around neck.
  • If they are aware, help them sit down in a safe place.
  • If they are falling or having a convulsive seizure, lay them on the floor, put something soft under their head, and turn them on their side.
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