This is What It's Like to Have a Seizure

By Tiffany Kairos

Editor's note: Tiffany Kairos, Founder of the Epilepsy Network gives us a glimpse of that having a seizure feels like. Her post first appeared in Huffpost Women

Sure there's "getting used to" seizures after having the condition for so long, but there really is no getting buddy-buddy with them I'm sure we can all agree to that. It's not fun. It's unsettling. It's uncomfortable. We don't want it in our lives. We want it gone. Forever.

Having seizures is a major inconvenience to our lives. It prevents us from working jobs, taking care of our family, doing the things that we love to do with family and friends, and can even affect our health at times. Consistent seizure activity can lead to physical injuries, brain damages for some, depression, anxiety, stress, and major medical costs.

As we take this journey, we at times hit bumps in the road. These bumps in the road are unfortunately unavoidable for the moment but they can however make us stronger if we allow them to. We can do our very best to steer around them and make the bumps not as hard of an impact by:

• Taking note of our seizure triggers
• Eating right
• Getting good sleep
• Taking epilepsy medications on time
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol

It is so good to know as well, that we can take comfort in the fact that not a single one of us are alone along this journey. No matter how you're feeling, there are many men, women and children on the exact same journey on a mission for a cure and we will not stop until a cure is found.

I'm going to describe what a seizure feels like from my point of view and from there include an illustration to go along with. A person's seizure experience is unique to the individual. These are my experiences. I encourage you to describe your experiences following this post.

"A seizure is like being caught up in a tornado."

"A seizure feels like being dragged deep under water."

"I feel like I can't catch my breath."

"For me, a seizure feels like electricity stuns and weakens every nerve ending in my body."

"It feels as though black ink is bleeding inward from every which way, causing my vision to slowly fade out."

"My verbal communication is a pile of babbling gravel."

"It feels like one long and crazy bad dream. Yet, it's always real."

About the Blogger

Tiffany Kairos is the founder of The Epilepsy Network (TEN). With a love for life and inspired each day, she steps out into the world educating and advocating on behalf of epilepsy, the condition that she has lived with for over 6 years. A condition that affects over 65 million men, women and children worldwide. Her articles, photography, interviews, poetry and more have inspired many around the world, offering insight into the life of epilepsy.

Tiffany takes readers on the epilepsy journey. Whether you are diagnosed, a caregiver, a friend or just want to know more about the condition!

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