Imagine you’re at a public gathering when a man suddenly stops talking, becomes rigid, and collapses.
Then his body and limbs starts jerking and shaking. People around are frightened, unsure of how to help.
By understanding how seizures may present and the basic categories of seizures, you can respond calmly and effectively.
What Is a Seizure?
A seizure happens when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This can cause changes in a person’s movement, sensations, behavior, or consciousness.
While seizures can be alarming, they are fairly common and can affect people at any age.
Types of Seizures (Based on How They Start)
1. Focal Seizures
Focal Seizure with Intact Awareness
The person remains conscious and may notice strange sensations such as an odd taste or smell, sudden feelings of fear or joy, or tingling in a limb.
They usually remember what happened.
Focal Seizure with Impaired Awareness
The person appears confused or distracted and may repeat actions like lip-smacking or fidgeting.
Afterward, they often cannot recall the episode.
Focal Seizure with Secondary Generalization
A seizure that starts in one area of the brain and spreads, leading to full-body stiffening and shaking.
2. Generalized Seizures
Motor (e.g., Tonic-Clonic, Myoclonic, Atonic)
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- Tonic-Clonic: Stiffening of the body (tonic) followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic).
- Myoclonic: Sudden jerks similar to brief electrical shocks.
- Atonic: Loss of muscle tone, causing the person to collapse.
Non-Motor (Absence)
Brief lapses in awareness where the person might stare blankly for a few seconds, often seen in children.
3. Unknown Onset Seizures
When the exact beginning of the seizure is not observed or cannot be determined. These may still involve motor or non-motor symptoms, but it’s unclear how they started.
Signs to Watch For
- Sudden collapse or stiffening
- Jerking or shaking movements
- Blank staring spells
- Unusual repetitive actions (e.g., lip-smacking)
- Confusion or loss of awareness
When to Seek Help
Most seizures stop within a couple of minutes. Call for medical assistance if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, the person has multiple seizures without fully regaining consciousness, or if they suffer any injury.
Final Note
If you witness someone having a seizure, remain calm and clear the area of sharp and dangerous objects. Place something soft under their head, and time the seizure if you can.
Knowing these signs and types of seizures can help you offer valuable support in a frightening moment.
If you or someone close to you experiences frequent seizures, consult a healthcare professional for guidance and proper management.