What to do if I have a “petit mal” seizure
So, while tonic-clonic/grand mal/convulsive seizures get a lot of press, there are a LOT of other kinds of seizures. For all others, the most important response is “Don’t panic.”
This is a personalized “how to” for my seizures. Not everybody is the same, and you are better off asking the epileptic folks in your life how they want you to respond. Use your words! They’ll probably thank you for it!
When I seize, your job is to:
-Wave people off, maybe tell them I have a headache or dizzy spells, because saying “seizure” draws a crowd.
-If we’re in a dangerous situation (crossing a street, cooking, swimming), mitigate the danger as much as you can. Stop/redirect traffic, turn off the stove, keep me above water, etc.
-If the seizure lasts only a second or two, keep going where we left off. Roast our marshmallows, enjoy the museum, finish crossing the street... but don’t tell me anything important unless you WANT me to forget it.
-If it’s longer than three seconds, judge the danger. If we are in a dangerous place, guide me out of it. If I’m unbalanced offer a seat. If there is no danger, your job is to let me recover, then pick up where we left off.
Relax and trust my judgement. These seizures happen all the time. The only time you need to worry is if you see me have a bunch over the course of an hour.
-If I have a bunch, (like, 4+) I should take my meds. I’ll be muddled and will probably not think of this. I will also forget what I am doing EVEN AS I AM GETTING MY MEDS. Remind me.
“You’re getting your emergency meds, right?” “Are your meds in your bag?”
After my meds I need to lie down and sleep it off, perhaps with a bit of water or juice. A bed, sofa, or your shoulder will do, but I drool so choose wisely.
Thank you for caring enough about me to see my seizures, keep calm, and care for me. It really means a lot, and I’ll appreciate you all the more when I’ve come back.
