Q&A for How to Help Someone Who Is Having a Seizure

Advise him to not attempt to remove the food from your mouth during the seizure, but immediately ease you to the floor lying on your side. If you appear to be choking during the seizure, he should call 911. After seizure activity has stopped, if you are not able to cough or clear air passages or are having breathing difficulties, your partner should call 911 immediately, clear your mouth, and perform the Heimlich Maneuver.

It is not uncommon to experience anxiety after a seizure or after a diagnosis of epilepsy. Anxiety can be related to fear of having another seizure or due to neurobiological changes related to your condition. If you find you are having difficulty managing anxiety, you may want to seek counseling or consult with a neurologist or psychotherapist.

Sometimes, seizures are caused by stress, lack of sleep, drugs, alcohol, and some medications. Try to reflect back on what might have led up to you having a seizure. If you have another seizure follow up with your doctor to make sure you there aren't any underlying cause. Get plenty of sleep, manage stress, avoid drugs and alcohol, bright flickering lights, and overstimulation.

Remain calm, pull over if it affects the safety of your driving, or find the nearest exit to pull over until the seizure passes. Leave the passenger in her seat with the seat belt fastened if it helps stabilize her movements. You could also recline the seat, position your wife on her side, and protect her head.