Did anyone ever tell you what to do when you watched someone having a seizure or what to look for? Probably not, but this is a skill that people need to learn. Seizures are unpredictable and not knowing what to expect can make it hard to know what to do. You may feel helpless and scared. Yet if you learn what to expect ahead of time, it will be easier for you to react and help appropriately when your friend or loved one has a seizure.

• If you are a person with seizures, make sure you tell loved ones or people close to you what your seizures are usually like and what to do during a seizure. Remember to tell them how long your seizures usually last and when to call for help.
• If you have a friend or loved one with seizures, or are frequently with a person who has seizures, talk to them. Ask them what to expect, what to do, and if there is anything special or different you should know ahead of time.

• Learn what to expect ahead of time.
• Stay calm and reassure those around you.

Continue to Seizure Drills

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