If your child has convulsions, make sure they are in a safe place, such as lying on the floor. Turn their head to the side, but NEVER try to put anything into their mouth.
If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or seems violent, call 911.
Are seizures or epilepsy a sign of mental illness?
No, seizures are not a sign of a person’s intelligence, mental health or capabilities. But a child who experiences seizures can feel isolated, alone or depressed.
A social worker or psychologist familiar with childhood epilepsy can design a care plan to help your child understand their condition.
What are the side effects of seizure treatment?
Antiseizure medications can have a variety of side effects and every person responds differently to medicine. Possible side effects can include dizziness, balance problems, and mood changes.
Surgery has a risk of infection and other problems, but in general, those risks are explained in detail by the neurosurgeon and epilepsy team and do not outweigh the benefit of seizure control.