On this page we tell you about some of the most important things to remember when helping someone who is having a seizure, and we cover some of the common signs and symptoms of seizures.
How can I help someone having a seizure?
Back to Epileptic SeizuresEp.1: Tonic-clonic seizures
"It’s the one where you suddenly drop to the floor, go stiff, and your whole body starts shaking."
Ep.2: Tonic seizures
"Your body suddenly goes stiff. You can’t move, and you’re totally unaware it’s happening. It’s like you’re frozen. And I usually fall over."
Ep.3: Atonic seizures
"It’s like someone hits the off switch on your muscles - you just drop, fast and without warning. It only lasts for seconds."
Ep.4: Absence seizures
"It’s like your brain hits pause for a few seconds. You suddenly stop what you’re doing. You stare into space. I can’t remember what happened."
Ep.5: Myoclonic seizures
"It’s the one where your body suddenly jerks - like a jolt - and whatever you’re holding might go flying."
Ep.6: Focal aware seizures
"It’s the one where you go still as a statue - still awake, still aware - but your body won’t move, and it can feel really scary."
Ep.7: Focal impaired awareness seizures
"It looks like one minute your spaced out, the next your chewing, kicking, or laughing, without even knowing you’re doing it."
Find out about different types of seizures
What is an epileptic seizure?
Discover what an epileptic seizure is, how to identify a seizure in babies and infants, and about non-epileptic seizures and episodes.
Seizure types
Learn about the differences between focal and generalised seizures and how to identify each.
Generalised onset seizures
Learn about generalised onset seizures, their types, causes, and management. Find resources and support for children and young people with epilepsy.
Focal onset seizures
Learn about epileptic seizures in babies and infants, including types and signs, from birth to one year old.
Seizure triggers
Learn about common seizure triggers in children and young people, including poor sleep, missed medication, and flickering lights.
Status epilepticus, prolonged or cluster seizures, and emergency medication
Learn about status epilepticus, prolonged seizures, and emergency medication for managing seizures lasting more than five minutes.
Monitoring seizures
Young Epilepsy’s information about nocturnal seizure monitors and other equipment, apps and services for parents of children with epilepsy.
More information about epilepsy
Causes of epilepsy
Learn about the causes of epilepsy, including genetic, metabolic, unknown origins, and epilepsy in infants, from Young Epilepsy.
Epilepsy syndromes
Learn about common childhood and rare infancy epilepsy syndromes in this informative guide from Young Epilepsy.
Epileptic seizures
Understand epileptic seizures, their types, causes, and management. Find resources and support for living with epilepsy.
Diagnosing epilepsy
Find out how epilepsy is diagnosed, what to expect at your first appointment, and how to get the right support for children and young people.
Treatments for epilepsy
Explore various epilepsy treatments, including medication, surgery, and dietary options. Find resources and support for managing epilepsy effectively.
Common co-occurring conditions
Explore common co-occurring conditions like autism, ADHD and dyspraxia in children with epilepsy, and how to recognise and support them early.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
Learn about SUDEP, who is at risk, and how to reduce the chances of epilepsy-related death in children and young people through safety and support.
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