A seizure can feel very different depending on the type of seizure and which
part of the brain is affected. Before a seizure (Aura or Prodrome):
Many people experience warning signs such as unusual sensations, feelings, or
changes in perception. This can include:
- Strange feelings or emotions like fear, anxiety, or joy
- Déjà vu or feeling that a place or event is familiar or unfamiliar
- Tingling sensations or a "rising" feeling in the stomach
- Changes in vision, hearing, taste, or smell
- Headache, dizziness, or nausea
During a seizure:
- In focal aware seizures, you remain conscious and may feel twitching, stiffness, or sensory changes in part of the body, along with strange sensations or emotions
- In focal impaired awareness seizures, consciousness is altered or lost, and you may appear confused, stare blankly, or perform repetitive movements like lip-smacking or chewing
- In generalized tonic-clonic seizures (formerly called grand mal), you lose consciousness, your body stiffens, and you experience jerking or convulsions. You may also lose bladder or bowel control, bite your tongue, or stop breathing normally
- Other types like gelastic seizures cause uncontrollable laughing, and dacrystic seizures cause crying or grimacing, usually with preserved consciousness
After a seizure (Postictal phase):
- You may feel confused, tired, sore, or have a headache
- Difficulty speaking, memory problems, dizziness, anxiety, or sadness can occur
- Some people feel thirsty or need to urinate
In summary, a seizure can feel like anything from a brief strange sensation or emotional change to a complete loss of consciousness with convulsions and confusion afterward. The experience varies widely based on seizure type and individual differences
