Just in case
I’m actually going to reblog a thing just because this is really important.
As someone who has epilepsy and used to have several grand mal seizures a day, I’d also like to add that “offer help” can range anywhere from keeping the person calm to explaining to them where they are and what they were doing to even just telling them they should sit and rest for a while longer (lack or coordination is common, and it can be hard to walk straight or see clearly).
It’s okay for them to take up to a half hour to fully regain their bearings and sort out what they were doing prior to the seizure. Just answer any questions calmly and be there for support.
If they come around and you start to panic or shake them or ask them what the heck is wrong with them they are going to freak out and panic too.
I cannot stress it enough that this is bad.
If someone has a seizure and they come out of it, please. please stay calm.
They are likely disoriented and confused, even if it’s only for a minute or two, and you don’t want them panicking on top of that because they can have another seizure as a result.
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT because last year a kid in my class had a seizure, none of us even knew he was at risk for them either so just cause you don’t think you know anyone doesn’t mean you don’t
stay safe
I have to stress how important it is to time a seizure. If it lasts more than a few minutes, call an ambulance.
DO NOT CALL THE POLICE. I’m dead fucking serious. I had a grand mal in public once and the POLICE were called and imagine coming out of the seizure, feeling like you got smacked in the head with a sack full of bricks, confused, dazed, in desperate need of some sugar to boost low blood pressure and some DIPSHIT has called the police and I was being threatened with being ‘drunk and disorderly’. It took a phone call to my doctors office to get them to back off. The police cannot properly deal with sick people.
Offer help can be:
- assuring person where they are/what time it is
- getting them something to drink if they can; seizure burns so much energy and does cause a blood pressure drop
- getting them safely to transport or a carer
- getting them some dignity like a blanket/towel [loosing control of your bladder and bowels is fucking horrifying]
- ensuring they have a way to get home. Someone who has just had a seizure should NEVER DRIVE straight after
- calling emergency services if you notice any of these symptoms because they may have stroked out.
Why you shouldn’t put anything in someone’s mouth: they will choke. Yes, they may bite their tongue but I can assure you it’s less traumatic than cracking your jaw on someone’s greasy wallet or choking on a spoon.
DO NOT HOLD ANYONE DOWN. Example: someone pinned my right shoulder mid-seizure a few years back and how I have a permanently displaced and clicking shoulder. Let the person flail around, those muscles are out of control and restraining them does cause more damage to the patient and you.
If you need a specific time frame, I’m a lifeguard certified in first aid, and we’re told to call an ambulance if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes. Don’t be afraid to err on the side of caution and call earlier if you are concerned.
Some other specific circumstances we’re taught:
Walking seizures exist, too, and a person might walk aimlessly while having one. Again, don’t hold them back or down, just try to be a physical cushion so they don’t walk into anything or trip. If you can, get people to form a circle around someone having a walking seizure. If they fall down, cushion the fall, but again, do NOT hold them down.
For seizures in water, don’t try to remove them from the water in the middle of a seizure, just support their head above the water by putting your arms beneath their head/neck/upper back area, and letting them essentially lay face-up in your arms.
When they come out of it, similar to above, stay calm and offer assistance.
