How to help if someone has a tonic clonic seizure - Epilepsy Action Employer Toolkit

I like this video but I wish they would mention that when people come around they are often confused and disoriented. They might not be able to speak and /or they might speak in jibberish. It's helpful to be calm with them but also treat them as respectfully as possible. I'll always remember when I woke up in an ambulance after having a seizure while biking with my toddler child. I kept asking where my son was and they kept telling me to "be calm, everything was fine". This made me upset and worried. He was in a car seat behind my head, I was in a stretcher. He was happy to have the ride in the ambulance. Sometimes people would like to be filled in on what happened since the seizure, especially if they're in a different place and definitely if their children are involved! I always want to be assured of the safety of my kids.

I’ve been having these seizures for over 20 years. I can’t stand to even watch a full video without crying.

Epilepsy re-introduced itself into my life in 2019 due to the immense stress I was going through as my closest relatives were passing away and my work place at the time was less than sympathetic. For 11 years I succeeded in stopping my Tonic Clonic seizures without medication but moral and psychological support from family.. from 2008-2019 I was living a life without fear of having an attack... but they have almost caused me to meet my demise on numerous occasions... from having a seizure behind the wheel of my car and crashing, a seizure which resulted in falling 70ft down a steep cliff, one that resulted in me nearly drowning in my own vomit, to one where I nearly fractured my skull.. Epilepsy is hard to accept, but when you do it opens your mind to the fact you can continue doing what you love and living life... but you also learn to respect it's unpredictability.. Godbless all those out there who have it, we're all in this together.. ❤#epilepsyawareness

I've had epilepsy my entire life and ironically have never seen a seizure. This was helpful.

This has actually happened to me before on multiple occasions almost just like this according to people that saw me fall out. And when you come to it's a crazy thing because you don't know what exactly happened and you are extremely disoriented and that doesn't even count what happens afterwards for the next three or four days of the constant pain and everything else that comes with the aftermath. I'm so glad this video is out there to teach how to help somebody!!! Believe me having a seizure is no joke!!!

I just had my first seizure while serving on a jury! I swear it was not an elaborate ruse to get out of jury duty! @SunshineBaby is spot on. As the shaking ended and I started to come around I was quite hostile to the paramedics. It was like me totally unfiltered. I was telling the EMTs to fuck off and dont touch me and said they're not taking me anywhere. I'm glad they didnt listen.

What I have learned As a Epilepsy Patient • It’s hard to bear, but we cannot lose hope to get healthy one day. • We can reduce ratio of attacks, if we follow doctor’s advices in our daily routine. • We have to spread awareness about epilepsy, and show the world that nothing is impossible in life. • There are many people who are suffering from epilepsy, but they are living their lives very happily. • It’s a continuous struggle to keep Yourself focus on your goals rather then worry about your disease.

Thank you for showing this my son is epileptic and I’m shocked just how many people don’t know what to do

This is a great video with many helpful tips. I would only add that sometimes it's important to help the person to their side even while they are having the seizure when there's a risk that they may aspirate on their saliva.

I always know when it’s gonna happen and can sit down before I fall... I always feel the aura.

When a seizure like this occurs, the person will likely drool profusely. If their on their back like the woman in the video, they will be in danger of choking on their saliva. They will need to be positioned so that the saliva has a way of exiting. As hard as it will be to do, you must find a way to turn them on to their side or at least turn their head if at all possible. Or, depending on where they fall, find a way to elevate their head. Some people will fall and land on their side or on their front which will help the saliva escape. Also, right after a seizure, the person won't be responsive. Then, when their eyes open and it seems as though they will function normally, they will usually be in a state of disorientation and speaking will be difficult, often jibberish. Hope this adds to what you all saw. I'm the niece of a wonderful soul who has had Epilepsy he whole life.

I really needed this. I’ve been doing everything wrong. My dad keeps having these seizures ever since his stroke 3 years ago. My mum was usually the one with him but now she’s passed. At least I know what to do now. Thank you

I just had my first seizures about a week ago (that we know of). They were tonic clonic, incredibly violent, and the spams likely fractured my arm. I'm still not fully recovered. I'm lucky in the sense that I get auras, but I didn't know what they were until after the fact. I'm just lucky that my spouse is smart and knew what it was right away. We have been together for 10 years and I have not once had a seizure the entire time. Then a week ago, I had 6 in one night. I now share this video with everyone that is around me often, so they know what to do if/when I have another one. I'm heavily medicated for it, so I hope and pray it lasts a long time.

This is great to know! I have a boyfriend who has seizures a lot, actually just witnessed one of them a couple days ago. I wish I would’ve know this before this time. Glad I was able to remember some things my aunt taught me from her work (she works with disabled/mentally challenged people) when I was a kid. Thank you for this informational video.

i have been combating seizures since 1988--I've been quite fortunate as I've been able to go long periods of time without having a seizure (at one point over 10 years.) but the spector of that next episode is always lurking. Take good care everyone 🙏

I was incredibly lucky. I was on my own at home, when I had my first seizure. The pain when I came around was like nothing I've ever felt before. My back and arms looked like a bruised banana for weeks.

As a person who has had tonic-clonic seizures for well around 10 years, this is useful information for those who are with a friend or relative who have them. My mom and brother are very well-aware of what to do, like lay me on the side, take me to bed once the seizure ends and I can take the time to recover. However, for me, the recovery takes longer because even after I come around, my limbs feel weak after all the jerking around and shaking.

Thank you for this video. I also appreciate the description of what is going on.

At 33 years of age I just had my first seizure -- wouldn't wish it upon anyone; fortunately it happened when I was in the back seat of the car with my parents, incredibly lucky. My body is still incredibly sore, never knew I was that flexible apparently o.O. I wish nothing but the best for those who live through this

My sister has has seizures her entire life. She once had a tonic clonic so bad that it triggered hundreds of clusters. We rushed her to the hospital. They had to re-teach her how to walk and talk. She was only seven at the time. It was scary.