The first step in being prepared is to recognize warning signs of possible seizures. While a variety of behaviors may occur in different types of seizures, not all behavioral changes are seizures. Some symptoms may be due to other medical problems or events or possibly due to side effects of medicine. When sorting out symptoms, consider these four main characteristics of seizures; seizures are usually…

• Unpredictable – you often can't predict when and where a seizure may happen
• Episodic – seizures can come and go
• Brief - usually last only seconds to a few minutes
• Stereotypic - symptoms are similar whenever they occur

Now consider the different feelings or behaviors that may occur at the beginning, middle or end of a seizure. Sometimes these symptoms may be considered a warning to a seizure or are part of the seizure itself. If any of these symptoms are present, start keeping track of what occurs and share it with your doctor. Some warning signs of possible seizures may include:

• Odd feelings, often indescribable
• Unusual smells, tastes, or feelings
• Unusual experiences – 'out-of-body' sensations; feeling detached; body looks or feels different; situations or people look unexpectedly familiar or strange
• Feeling spacey, 'fuzzy', or confused
• Periods of forgetfulness or memory lapses
• Daydreaming episodes
• Jerking movements of an arm, leg, or body
• Tingling, numbness or feelings of electricity in part of the body
• Headaches
• Unexplained confusion, sleepiness, weakness
• Losing control of urine or stool unexpectedly

For more information:

• Seizure Symptoms

Continue to Risk Factors for Seizures

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Last Reviewed:5/25/07