Understanding Focal Seizures
Focal Seizures with Impaired Consciousness
These focal seizures affect awareness or responsiveness. Someone may appear awake without responding normally or remembering the episode.
Older names include “complex partial,” “focal dyscognitive” and “focal impaired awareness” seizures.
About this information
ESCO reviews this information regularly. It supports learning and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss your own care with your healthcare provider.
Possible signs
The person might stop an activity, stare, chew repeatedly, pick at clothing or move around without understanding their surroundings. These behaviours are involuntary.
Changes and recovery
Some events begin with an aura or progress to a tonic-clonic seizure. Confusion and fatigue may continue afterward. Observe the seizure and recovery separately.
Stay nearby. Speak calmly.
Time the event, remove hazards and gently guide the person away from danger. Avoid restraint. Never place anything in their mouth.
Follow their action plan and remain through recovery. Call 911 for a first known seizure, one exceeding five minutes, repeated seizures without recovery, breathing problems or other emergency signs.