What are the symptoms of epilepsy? The main sign is repeated seizures, which are sudden, uncontrolled changes in the brain’s electrical signals. Seizures look different from person to person, from a few seconds of staring to a convulsion with loss of consciousness.
This guide is for people with epilepsy, families, carers and support workers. It explains what epilepsy looks like, what an aura and a deja vu feeling can mean, how seizure types differ and where to find support in Australia.
Epilepsy is a condition in which the brain’s electrical activity is interrupted again and again, causing seizures. healthdirect explains that seizures happen when there are sudden and uncontrolled changes to electrical signals in the brain, and that epilepsy happens when you have recurrent seizures (healthdirect).
Seizures do not all look the same, and focal seizures start in one small region of the brain. Our guide to what epilepsy is gives the full definition.
Epilepsy can look like many different things, from a brief pause to a full-body convulsion. In 2017 the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) revised its classification into three groups, as described by Epilepsy Action Australia.
Two generalised seizure types are widely known. healthdirect describes the following.
Repeated blank spells are worth mentioning to a doctor.
No checklist can confirm epilepsy. The signs below are reasons to see a doctor, not a diagnosis, and they can have other causes.
Only a qualified professional can assess whether these signs mean epilepsy. You can read how doctors work this out in how epilepsy is diagnosed.
An aura is a feeling that some people notice before a seizure. Not everyone has one, and a doctor can explain what your own warning feeling means.
A deja vu feeling on its own does not confirm epilepsy. If it is frequent, intense or followed by confusion, talk to your GP.
TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.
Make a referral →Some seizures are brief and subtle, while others are dramatic.
Duration depends on the seizure type, and there is no single answer. An absence seizure lasts 5-30 seconds according to healthdirect, but other types can differ.
Epilepsy can affect more than movement, and the effects differ between people. If you notice changes, record them and talk to your GP or neurologist rather than guessing at the cause.
These guides cover epilepsy at different ages and related questions.
Your specialist can explain what is behind your seizures and what treatment suits you, and these guides give background.
If you meet the NDIS access requirements, funded supports may include help at home, community access and supports for complex needs.
Call 000 in an emergency.
TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.
Make a referral →If epilepsy affects your daily life or a family member’s, practical support at home can help. TQN Care’s high-care and complex support services help people across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC), with support workers who follow your seizure management plan. We do not provide medical treatment. Make a referral and we will call you to talk about what you need.
It varies widely. A seizure may look like a short blank stare, odd repeated movements, or a sudden loss of consciousness with stiffening and jerking. A doctor needs to assess what you saw.
Some people feel nothing because they lose awareness. Others describe an aura beforehand, such as deja vu or an odd smell or taste. Feelings differ from person to person.
The main symptom is recurrent seizures. They may include staring, loss of awareness, convulsions, unusual sensations or confusion afterwards. Only a doctor can say whether these symptoms mean epilepsy, so describe them to your GP.
Beyond seizures, some people notice effects on memory, concentration or mood, and questions about work, study and driving often come up. Effects vary, so talk to your GP or neurologist about your own situation.
It depends on the type. An absence seizure lasts 5-30 seconds according to healthdirect, but other types differ. Follow the person’s seizure management plan, note when the seizure started and call 000 if the plan says to or you are worried.
It can. People may not remember a seizure, and some notice memory or concentration problems. Ask your doctor to review it, and do not change medicine yourself.
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