10 Seizure Symptoms

By lio

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Seizure First Aid.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2019, www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/first-aid.htm
• 2. 'Seizures.' MedlinePlus - Health Information from the National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003200.htm
• 3. 'Epilepsy - Symptoms.' Nhs.uk, 23 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/epilepsy/symptoms

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Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity temporarily affecting the brain. When people picture seizures, they may imagine a person collapsing and convulsing. Those types of seizures are known as tonic-clonic seizures. There are also other types of seizures, and an estimated 1 in 10 people will have some type of seizure in their lifetime.¹‘Seizure First Aid.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2019, www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/first-aid.htm

While not all seizures are dangerous, they can be a symptom of various underlying conditions. They cause distress and interfere with daily life. People with more subtle symptoms can spend years having frequent seizures that go unrecognized. Identifying these seizures may be the first step in managing them.²‘Seizures.’ MedlinePlus - Health Information from the National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003200.htm

Unsettling Feelings

Some people who have seizures describe feelings and sensations that provide a warning that a seizure may be coming, also known as an aura. Some of these symptoms can be a type of seizure in their own right, called a focal or simple partial seizure.

A person may have a sudden mood swing, becoming extremely happy or afraid for no logical reason. They might have a sense of deja vu or an odd apprehension that's difficult to describe. There could be a swooping sensation in their stomach, like being on a roller coaster. It's common for people to be conscious during this time.³‘Epilepsy - Symptoms.’ Nhs.uk, 23 Oct. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/epilepsy/symptoms