Understanding Epilepsy

The following videos explain, or show some examples of epileptic seizures that can go unrecognised:

http://youtu.be/e10FSjHvV74 “Understanding Partial Seizures”

http://youtu.be/JPUp5LwtQ_k “Complex Partial Seizure”

http://youtu.be/z9V2sNmIoJk “Absence Seizure”

http://youtu.be/lkd5cCEE1g4 “De ja vu Seizure”

http://youtu.be/-ENP6NSkmTU “De ja vu Seizure”

http://youtu.be/wPnuH1zCga8 “Simple Partial Seizure”

Society’s knowledge of epileptic seizures often only goes as far as ‘grand mal’ or what is now referred to as ‘tonic clonic’. These seizures see a person falling to the ground shaking uncontrollably. However, I have personal experience of four other types of epileptic seizures – complex partial seizures, absence seizures, simple partial and de ja vu seizures which are less commonly known outside of the medical field. Some of these seizures can go unrecognised by the untrained/unaware eye, and the person experiencing the seizures may simply be perceived as acting very strange. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical circuitry doesn't work properly. Normally, the brain sends electrical signals throughout the body to control movement. In epilepsy, the brain sometimes creates an electrical storm - called a seizure - that scrambles these signals. While it lasts, a seizure affects how your brain works. That's why you can suddenly experience uncontrolled body movements, unusual sensations, or changes in behaviour or awareness (http://www.epilepsy.org.nz/main.cfm?id=49, 2011). A person experiencing ‘absence seizures’ has no recognition that they are having the seizure at the time, although it may look like they are just off in a daze. All of these seizures can be very detrimental to the person experiencing them, as extreme fatigue and nausea after every seizure (not to mention embarrassment!) can last for a day, and many seizures can occur over the period of a day. These types of seizures are diagnosed by an electroencephalogram (EEG) and CCTV video of the epileptic. All these seizures can be medicated with anti-convulsants, however for many people this is a very arduous and long process in order to find the right mix of medication. Driving for 18months -2years after your last epileptic seizure is forbidden for safety purposes. The long term effects of these seizures can include medication side-effects and memory problems.