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Help After a Seizure

Help After a Seizure

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Tracking & Managing Seizures
Seizure Preparedness
First Aid & Safety
- Seizure First Aid Training and Certification
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How can I tell if a person is okay after a seizure?

Ask questions to see if the person knows their name, where they are, what time of day it is, and what happened. If the person cannot answer these questions, tell them the information and offer reassurance that they are okay. This may help decrease confusion and orient them to their surroundings.

Also, don’t leave anyone alone after a seizure until:

They are able to answer the four W’s: who, what, when, and where.
They can talk or communicate in some way.
They are breathing normally.
You are able to wake them up if they fall asleep after a seizure.

Should I tell a person who had a seizure what happened?

Seizures are unpredictable and often leave a person feeling that they have no control over their body or their life. Not knowing what happens during a seizure can worsen the loss of control and fear of seizures.

Right after a seizure, most people aren’t ready to talk much about the seizures but telling them what happened very simply and matter-of-factly can help.
If the person’s not remembering things well, write down what happened for them. They can then share this with their doctor, nurse, family, or others involved in their epilepsy care.
This information can help the person and their healthcare providers to determine the type of seizures, whether treatment is working, and the need for changes.

Remember, knowing what happened during a seizure and having a chance to talk about it may help make the seizures less scary and life seem more predictable. You also can help someone get the help they may need and stay safe.

More Information on Seizure First Aid

#StaySafeSide - It's Seizure First Aid
Print out these downloadable guides

Authored By: Joseph I. Sirven MD Patty Osborne Shafer RN, MN Steven C. Schachter, MD

on Sunday, September 22, 2013

Reviewed By: Epilepsy Foundation Marketing & Communications

on Monday, March 03, 2025 Previous

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How can I tell if a person is okay after a seizure?

Should I tell a person who had a seizure what happened?

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