What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic (long-term) brain condition where a person has repeated seizures.

Having just one seizure does not mean that you have epilepsy. Seizures can also happen because of other health conditions or problems.

What are the symptoms of epilepsy?

The main symptom of epilepsy is seizures.

Seizures happen when there is a sudden change in electrical activity in the brain. What a seizure looks or feels like depends on which part of the brain is affected. Seizures usually last less than 3 minutes.

Seizures may cause symptoms such as:

• loss of consciousness (passing out)
• unusual jerking movements (convulsions)
• changes in feelings, sensations and behaviour

There are different types of seizures, including:

• generalised seizures — affect the whole brain and body. These include absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures and atonic seizures.
• focal seizures — affect one part of the brain and usually one part of the body.
• unknown seizures — where the part of the brain involved is not known.

Seizures may also be known as 'unclassified' if they cannot be clearly grouped into a specific type because there isn't enough information.

Read more about the different types of seizures.

Read more about seizures in children.

Types of epilepsy syndromes

An epilepsy syndrome is a specific type of epilepsy with a known pattern of symptoms and features. There are many different epilepsy syndromes:

• Dravet syndrome — this usually affects babies from around 3 months old. It is linked to long-term developmental and behavioural delays. The most common seizure type is tonic-clonic seizures.
• Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) — this begins in childhood, usually between 1 and 8 years of age. It is associated with movement delays and behaviour disorders. Common seizure types include tonic (stiffening) seizures and atonic seizures (drop seizures).
• Childhood absence epilepsy — this often starts between 5 and 7 years of age. It mainly involves absence seizures.
• Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) — this usually begins in adolescents. It involves abnormal jerking movements, often in the mornings.
• Temporal lobe epilepsy — this is common in adults. It is linked to memory changes and aura (focal aware) sensations.

Read more about epilepsy in children.

What causes epilepsy?

The cause of epilepsy is not always known. Genetics (family history) can play an important role.

Epilepsy may also be caused by damage to the brain, including:

• head injury or trauma
• stroke or brain bleeding
• brain infection or inflammation, such as meningitis, encephalitis or a brain abscess
• brain tumours or abnormal brain development
• brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease
• alcohol or drug use

It may take years for seizures to develop after a brain injury.

When should I see my doctor?

Most seizures stop on their own and do not usually cause serious injury, so emergency medical care is often not needed. But get medical help straight away if:

• this is your first seizure
• you have repeated seizures
• your seizures happen more often than usual
• you are not sure if you've had a seizure
• you have a diagnosis of epilepsy and feel your medicine is not helping

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care after a seizure if you are injured.

Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if a seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes or if the person does not regain consciousness after the seizure has ended.

Read more about what to do while waiting for an ambulance.

How is epilepsy diagnosed?

Epilepsy is diagnosed based on your seizure history. Your doctor will ask you what you remember and whether you noticed any symptoms before the seizure.

It can also help to talk with someone who saw your seizure. Ask them what they saw, especially if you can't remember the seizure.

Your doctor may refer you for tests, for example:

• blood tests
• an EEG (electroencephalogram)
• scans of the brain, such as a CT (computed tomography) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan

Your test results can help classify the type of epilepsy you have. You may still have epilepsy even if your test results are normal.

If your child or someone you know has a seizure, it can help to record a video on your mobile phone. This may help your doctor make a more accurate diagnosis. Giving first aid and keeping the person safe should always come first.

How is epilepsy treated?

Most people with epilepsy can manage their condition with medicines and by avoiding triggers. Many epilepsy medicines need regular blood tests to make sure the dose is safe and effective.

Some newer treatments for epilepsy are being studied. These include:

• surgery — treating the area of the brain that causes seizures
• vagus nerve stimulation — a small device placed under the skin that sends signals to nerves in your neck
• a ketogenic diet — a strict diet that must be supervised by a doctor or dietitian
• medical cannabis — medicines that may help some people control seizures

Your doctor will work with you to choose a treatment based on:

• your age
• the type of epilepsy you have
• the cause of your epilepsy, if this is known

Living with epilepsy

Keeping a seizure diary can help you track how well your epilepsy is being managed and identify triggers.

Your doctor can also help you create an epilepsy management plan. This plan explains:

• the types of seizures you have
• your triggers
• what helps you
• what to do in an emergency

You can share your epilepsy management plan with your school, workplace and other health professionals.

If you are planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor early. Your treatment may need to be adjusted.

Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to drive or do other high-risk activities, such as operating heavy machinery or swimming. Many people can return to driving after being seizure-free for 6 to 12 months.

What are the complications of epilepsy?

Epilepsy increases your chance of injury. During a seizure, you may fall, knock yourself or breathe in food or saliva.

Some people may need to avoid:

• working with heavy machinery
• working at heights
• being under water
• driving

Children with epilepsy may find it harder to learn or to concentrate.

Epilepsy can also affect your mental health. You may feel anxious or depressed when you are first diagnosed.

For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

Other serious complications of epilepsy include status epilepticus and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Status epilepticus is a life-threatening medical emergency where seizures last too long or happen continuously. It needs urgent hospital treatment.

Can epilepsy be prevented?

You can help prevent seizures by taking your medicine as your doctor prescribes and by avoiding triggers where possible.

Diet and health related triggers may include:

• caffeine
• missing meals
• infections
• vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
• fever

Sleep, stress and medicine related triggers include:

• lack of sleep
• physical and emotional stress
• hormonal changes during menstruation (periods)
• missing a dose or taking too much epilepsy medicine

Environmental triggers may include:

• allergens
• alcohol or drug use
• severe changes in temperature
• flashing lights

Resources and support

Call the National Epilepsy Line on 1300 37 45 37 to speak with a registered nurse trained in epilepsy management. They can answer your questions and refer you to other services for support.

Epilepsy Australia has more information on epilepsy.

Epilepsy Action Australia has information about:

• creating your epilepsy management plan
• medicinal cannabis
• seizure first aid resources

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

EpilepsyWA has epilepsy information sheets available in many languages.