Epilepsy Health Center

Tools & Resources

Font Size

Understanding Epilepsy -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Epilepsy?

Seizures are the basic indicator of epilepsy. They vary widely:

Staring straight ahead, repetitive swallowing, and lapsing into complete immobility for a few seconds characterize absence (petit mal) seizures, which can recur many times in a day.
Tonic/clonic (grand mal) seizures, which may last up to 30 minutes, typically begin with a loss of consciousness and a fall, followed by rigidity, then jerking motions and incontinence of urine. After the seizure ends, there is usually a period of confusion and deep sleep.
Repetitive lip smacking, aimless fiddling movements, and a sense of detachment from surroundings may indicate temporal lobe seizures. They may be preceded by a vague feeling of abdominal discomfort, visual/sensory hallucination, and distorted perceptions such as deja-vu.
Motor or Jacksonian seizures start with localized rhythmic twitching of muscles in a hand, a foot or the face, which can spread to the whole body. Such seizures are often followed by a period of weakness or paralysis.

Recommended Related to Epilepsy

What to Do if Your Child Has an Epileptic Seizure

Most epileptic seizures are over so quickly that you don't really have much time to do anything. After it's over, you simply make sure that the child wasn't injured. Tonic-clonic seizures are the most dramatic and frightening of the seizures, and they usually last longer than other seizures. Here are some suggestions for handling them: Move things out of the way so the child won't injure him or herself. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck. Put a pillow or something soft under...

Read the What to Do if Your Child Has an Epileptic Seizure article > >

Call Your Doctor About Epilepsy If:

You experience a seizure for the first time or have never seen a doctor for your seizures.
One seizure follows another without a return to consciousness; the brain could be deprived of oxygen. Call 911 or your emergency number immediately.
You're experiencing side effects from antiseizure medication. Your doctor may reduce the dosage or try an alternative drug.
Your antiseizure drugs are not fully controlling seizures.
You have seizures and are pregnant or trying to conceive.