How to Help Someone Having a Grand Mal Seizure

Imagine this scenario, if you will: You’re in a public place and someone drops to the floor. They begin shaking violently, perhaps limbs are kicking and everyone is helpless. The person has blacked out, causing them to have probably fallen out of their chair, or if they were standing, they dropped to the ground like a flapjack. Would you know what to do?

In my situation, this is a “grand mal seizure.” It may seem scary to everyone around me, but I haven’t any memory of any seizure I have ever had. These began going on in my brain when I encountered Viral Encephalitis as an infant, and it’s a lifetime condition. A technical definition to grand mal seizures is this: it’s when a person’s brain swells (causing the black out) and they lose complete muscle control.

Petite mal seizures, which are when the brain “checks out,” are different than grand mal seizures. An easy clap of the hands should bring the person back to the conversation from a petite mal seizure. These aren’t as serious as grand mal and the main difference is these two factors: Petite mal seizures don’t black out and they don’t lose muscle control.

Let’s return to our situation. The person is laying on the floor and shaking. You’re shocked and startled because you’ve never come across anything like this before. What do you do? Here’s what you do:

First, the best thing to do is to get the person as low to the ground as possible. This is going to prevent the majority of injuries and will only cause them minor ones. When I say “minor,” I’m speaking of the individual bumping their head, joints and other parts of the body. They may be achy once they come out of the seizure.

Next, check that for breathing. This is crucial as the person goes through the seizure because it’s a long process. Let me give you an overview of a typical grand mal seizure. First, you lose consciousness and black out (dropping to the floor because you’ve lost muscle control.) The person will begin harsh shaking for about 30 seconds and then start into convulsions. After this happens, they should calm down. I always feel like I wake up from a nap at this point because I feel rested.

Third, safely make sure their airway is clear of everything. Don’t insert anything into their mouth, and as safety as you can, try to get food out (if they were eating.) This step will help prevent them from choking while having the seizure.

In addition, make sure to be extra cautious with their head. They may repeatedly bump it against the floor. Try to hold it with a pillow, shirt, or anything you have available. If they have any hair clips, hats, or scarves, make sure to remove these.

If you’re with someone experiencing this, watch for these signs and get the individual to the floor right away (these are seizure-detectors):

1) Headache that turns into migraine.

This usually tips off a seizure for me. I will have the headache all day, and possibly from the night before also. The headache will worsen with pinches at my temples and this is my “warning” that my seizure is coming literally within minutes. I have had these since I was 10 months old, so I known better than anything. If you have this symptom, take it easy and don’t drive. I had a seizure behind my car and it almost ruined my life.

2) Confusion

This symptom comes with every seizure I have, although it mostly shows up in a petite mal seizure. Those are ones I have before the “grand finale” seizure hits, if you will. That has been my nickname for it the past few years because of it’s impact. With this symptom, often people experience it after the seizure happens. They are disoriented in their setting and what happened in the last few minutes. Just be patient; it will pass soon.

3) Fatigue

Fatigue usually leads to a grand mal seizure or results in resting afterwards. The person who suffered a seizure will probably rest for hours after its occurrence. In fact, usually for me, this may continue for a day or two. It all depends on the person, how many injuries they received as a result of their seizure and their situation.

4) Dizziness

I’ve had dizziness with all my seizures. They’re usually a symptom that comes with the fatigue. If these two are already evident, then rest is the best option. You still have time to prevent the seizure in time. You’re still outside what I consider the “warning zone” which includes headache and confusion. If these two are symptoms, then a seizure may well be on its way.

5) Lightheadness

This is when you feel as your head has floated upward, as I would describe it. It’s an uneasy feeling and I notice it right away. Usually it comes with fatigue and headache, and if I’m careful, I get enough rest to prevent a seizure. This can often be the “send-off” for me into a grand-finale seizure. If you aren’t feeling stable sitting up, then go lie down in case a seizure may appear. It might be best to lay down on the floor versus a bed.

When to contact medical care…

Never hesitate to call for the professionals to take over the medical care. If you’re not sure of yourself, then call for help. It’s a good idea to make them comfortable until the ambulance gets there, though, and gives their medical services.

Another good reason to do this is if a person stays in their seizure over 3 minutes or if they stop breathing. There are many causes to grand mal seizures including tumors, sleep deprivation and strokes. Contact the ambulance if you’re not able to locate an epilepsy tag. These are usually located around the neck, wrists or ankles. If you can’t find identification, then call for extra help. If you don’t, this person may be in severe trouble.