Symptoms

The following symptoms may indicate someone has epilepsy. A medical exam is advised if one or more of these symptoms are present. The symptoms include:

• A convulsion with or without a fever
• Short periods of blackout or confused memory
• Occasional "fainting spells" in which bladder or bowel control is lost, followed by extreme fatigue
• Episodes of blank staring
• Brief periods of no response to questions or instructions
• Sudden stiffening or falls for no apparent reason
• Episodes of blinking or chewing at inappropriate times
• Dazed behavior; being unable to talk or communicate for a short time
• Repeated movements that look out of place or unnatural
• Sudden fear, anger or panic for no reason
• Odd changes in the way things look, sound, smell or feel
• Muscle jerks of arms, legs or body
• Clusters of swift jerking movements in babies

Related Conditions

Conditions that may be mistaken for epilepsy:

• Seizures associated with high fever
• Fainting
• Sleep disorders: nightmares, narcolepsy, cataplexy
• Psychiatric disorders: panic attacks, psychogenic seizures
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs): brief interruptions of blood flow to the brain
• Migraine headaches
• Childhood breath-holding episodes