How to recognise a seizure

Absence Seizure: Symptoms includes a blank stare, beginning and ending abruptly, lasting only a few seconds, most common in children. May be accompanied by rapid blinking, some chewing movements of the mouth. Child or adult is unaware of what’s going on during the seizure, but quickly returns to full awareness once it has stopped. May result in learning difficulties if not recognized and treated. In this case, no first aid necessary, but if this is the first observation of the seizure(s), medical evaluation should be recommended.

Focal Seizure: Jerking may begin in one area of body, arm leg or face. The jerking can’t be stopped but the patient stays awake and aware. Jerking may proceed from one area of the body to another and sometimes spreads to become a convulsive seizure. Partial sensory seizures may not be obvious to an onlooker. Patient experiences a distorted environment. May see or hear things that aren’t there, may feel unexplained fear or sadness, anger or joy. In this case, no response/first aid is necessary unless seizure becomes convulsive, then first aid as above. No immediate action needed other than reassurance and emotional support. Medical evaluation should be recommended.

Myoclonic Seizures: Sudden brief, massive muscle jerks that may involve the whole body or parts of the body. May cause person to spill what they were holding or fall off a chair. No response/first aid is needed in this case, but should be given a thorough medical evaluation.

Infantile Spasms: These are clusters of quick, sudden movements that start between three months and two years of age. If a child is sitting up, the head will fall forward and the arms will flex forward. If lying down, the knees will be drawn up with arms and head flexed forward as if the baby is reaching for support. No response/first aid, but doctor should be consulted.

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