The Untold Side · Educational guide
What Am I Experiencing?
Not sure what to call something you felt, witnessed or experienced after an event? Start with everyday words and follow a route to the information already on this site.
This is not a symptom checker or diagnosis. Similar experiences can have different causes, including conditions unrelated to epilepsy. If something is new, severe or clearly different from usual, seek appropriate medical assessment. For an emergency, call your local emergency number (UK: 999). Read our emergency guidance →
Choose an experience to see three more specific routes.
I lost time or have a memory gap
Explore memory changes during and after an event. Choose the description closest to your question:
I remember before, but not what happened →Read: How memory gaps can surround a seizure.I was awake but couldn’t remember conversations →Read: Why awareness and later recall are different.Memory and concentration are difficult between events →Read: How epilepsy and other factors can affect cognition.I couldn’t speak properly
Explore speech and language changes. Choose the description closest to your question:
I knew what I wanted to say but couldn’t get words out →Read: Speech can be affected even when awareness remains.I used the wrong words or couldn’t understand speech →Read: Language disturbances during seizures.Speech or language remained different afterwards →Read: Changes during and after seizures, and when to seek help.My breathing changed
Explore breathing and throat sensations, without assuming the cause. Choose the description closest to your question:
Breathing paused, became noisy or changed rhythm →Read: Breathing changes during seizures and recovery.It happened without obvious convulsions →Read: How respiratory changes can occur without major movements.I felt choking or sudden throat tightness →Read: Throat sensations and important alternative causes.I experienced unusual movements
Find descriptions of movement, while remembering not all movements are seizures. Choose the description closest to your question:
There was jerking, stiffening or a sudden drop →Read: An introduction to the different seizure types.There was twisting, shaking or repetitive movement →Read: Other movement conditions can resemble seizures.There was weakness or a neurological change afterwards →Read: Post-seizure deficits and the need to assess new symptoms.My behaviour changed after a seizure
Explore changes during the recovery period. Choose the description closest to your question:
I became restless, frightened or agitated →Read: Agitation and safer responses during recovery.I wandered, tried to leave or acted without recognising danger →Read: Wandering and safety after a seizure.I cried, felt fearful, irritable or unlike myself →Read: Emotional changes during recovery.My recovery is taking longer than usual
Explore what returning to your usual baseline means. Choose the description closest to your question:
I’m awake but still not back to my usual self →Read: Recovery can happen at different rates across different functions.Recovery is taking much longer than usual →Read: When prolonged recovery needs reassessment.Confusion or disorientation is lingering →Read: Prolonged confusion and possible alternative explanations.I experienced something I cannot describe
Start with experiences that are hard to put into words. Choose the description closest to your question:
I had a strange internal feeling or sensation →Read: An introduction to subjective focal experiences.There were few outward signs, or no one noticed →Read: Why ‘silent seizure’ is an imprecise term.I need help recording what happened →Read: A way to describe events without guessing a diagnosis.No personal information is collected by this guide. Links open existing educational pages. If you spot an error or want to suggest a missing subject, send feedback.