Atonic
During an atonic seizure the muscles go limp and people can suddenly drop to the floor or slump if sitting down.
What happens
-
1Atonic seizures are brief and will usually last for 1 or 2 seconds
-
2Atonic seizures are sometimes called drop attacks or drop seizures
-
3This type of seizure can have a generalised onset, where both sides of the brain are affected from the start. Or it can be focal onset, meaning it starts in one side of the brain
-
4It’s common for people to fall forwards during an atonic seizure and there is a risk of injury to the head, nose or face
-
5Because there is risk of head injury with atonic seizures, some people wear protective headgear
How people can help
If you have atonic seizures
It’s helpful for others to:
- Know that atonic seizures are brief and happen with no warning. This makes it difficult to help during the few seconds of the actual seizure
- Be calm and reassuring
- Stay with you and check if you need any help afterwards, for example first aid for bruises, cuts, or other injuries
- Seek medical advice if you have a head injury or have seriously hurt yourself
After the seizure
- Muscle tone should return as soon as the seizure is over
- You may be a bit confused but should usually be able to return to what you were doing fairly quickly
- You may feel tired and want rest for a while after the seizure
Do something
Keeping a seizure diary really helps people to understand their seizures better.
What percentage of your seizures are you recording in a seizure diary?
Go to the Seizures menu
