Epileptic seizures

This section covers the different types of seizures and their symptoms, seizure triggers, managing seizures and emergency medication for seizures that last for more than five minutes.

An epileptic seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal of electrical activity in the brain that can cause a range of symptoms.

These can include involuntary muscle movements, changes in sensation, behaviour or awareness, falling down, loss of consciousness, and more.

Click on the links below for information on all of these aspects of epileptic seizures.

Last updated December 2023.

We’re currently reviewing this information. The next update will be 2025. If you would like to find out more about how we produce our information, or the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at healthinfo@youngepilepsy.org.uk

Find out about different types of seizures

Seizures in babies and infants

Learn about seizures in babies and infants, their causes, symptoms, and management. Find support and resources for your child's epilepsy.

Generalised onset seizures

Learn about generalised onset seizures, their types, causes, and management. Find resources and support for children and young people with epilepsy.

Focal onset seizures

Learn about epileptic seizures in babies and infants, including types and signs, from birth to one year old.

Complex epilepsy

Learn about complex epilepsy, its causes, symptoms, and management. Find support and resources for managing this challenging condition.

Seizure triggers

Learn about common seizure triggers in children and young people, including poor sleep, missed medication, and flickering lights.

Managing seizures

Learn how to manage seizures in children and young people with helpful templates and infographics for accurate seizure record-keeping.

Monitoring seizures

Young Epilepsy’s information about nocturnal seizure monitors and other equipment, apps and services for parents of children with epilepsy.

More information about epilepsy

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Causes of epilepsy

Learn about the causes of epilepsy, including genetic, metabolic, unknown origins, and epilepsy in infants, from Young Epilepsy.

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Epilepsy syndromes

Learn about common childhood and rare infancy epilepsy syndromes in this informative guide from Young Epilepsy.

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Diagnosing epilepsy

Learn about epilepsy diagnosis, referral, assessments, and the tests used to help identify epilepsy at Young Epilepsy.

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Treatments for epilepsy

Explore various epilepsy treatments, including medication, surgery, and dietary options. Find resources and support for managing epilepsy effectively.

More information about epilepsy

Common co-occurring conditions

Explore common co-occurring conditions with epilepsy, including autism, ADHD, and DCD (dyspraxia), and how they impact children with epilepsy.