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What to do if…
you have a new episode of unusual sensations and confusion and worry it could be a seizure

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Make yourself safe now: sit or lie down away from stairs, roads, water, heat, and sharp edges, and ask someone to stay with you. Call 999 if a seizure may be happening now, this may be a first seizure with current emergency concern, you are not fully aware, it lasts 5 minutes or more, you have repeated episodes without recovery, you are injured, breathing is difficult, or you are not returning to normal. If the episode has passed and you are safe, get same-day advice from NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment.

Do not do these things

  • Do not drive, ride a motorbike, cycle in traffic, operate machinery, swim, bathe, cook over heat, climb, or work at height while you feel confused or “not right”.
  • Do not stay alone near stairs, roads, water, baths, hobs, open flames, sharp edges, or heights.
  • Do not let anyone hold you down or physically restrain you if your body starts to jerk or you lose awareness.
  • Do not let anyone put anything in your mouth.
  • Do not eat, drink, or take tablets while you are confused, very drowsy, or not fully recovered.
  • Do not use alcohol or recreational drugs to try to steady yourself.
  • Do not try to prove to yourself that you are fine by pushing through plans.

What to do now

  1. Make the next few minutes safer.
    Sit or lie on the floor or a low bed. Move away from hard edges, heat, water, roads, stairs, and anything sharp. Put your phone within reach.

  2. Get another person involved.
    Tell someone nearby, “I’m having unusual sensations and confusion and I’m worried it could be seizure-related. Please stay with me.” If you are alone, call or message someone who can stay on the phone while you arrange help.

  3. Ask them to watch, not restrain.
    Ask them to stay calm, time the episode, move hazards away, cushion your head if you fall, and call 999 if you lose awareness, have jerking movements, have breathing problems, are injured, or do not return to normal. They should not hold you down, put anything in your mouth, or give you food or drink until you are fully recovered.

  4. Start a simple record for clinicians.
    Note the start time, what you felt, and what happened next. Include unusual smells or tastes, a rising feeling in your stomach, tingling, fear, blank spells, staring, lip-smacking, one-sided jerking, unusual speech, lost time, headache, injury, or confusion afterwards. If someone witnessed it, ask them to write down what they saw.

  5. Call 999 now if emergency signs apply.
    Call 999 if a seizure may be happening now and this may be the first time, the episode lasts 5 minutes or more, you have several episodes without fully recovering, you have had 3 or more seizures in 24 hours, you are seriously injured, breathing is difficult, it happened in water, or you are not returning to your normal self.

  6. If 999 is not needed, get same-day medical advice.
    Contact NHS 111, NHS 111 online if available where you live, or ask for an urgent GP appointment today. Say, “I had a new episode of unusual sensations and confusion and I’m worried it may have been a seizure or seizure warning.” If you feel foggy, ask the person with you to speak for you.

  7. Do a no-driving reset now.
    Put your keys away and cancel any driving plans for today. Do not drive until you have medical advice. If you have had an epileptic seizure or blackout, you must stop driving straight away and tell DVLA.

  8. Keep the rest of the day low-risk.
    Stay with someone if possible. Use a shower instead of a bath only if you are fully alert and someone nearby knows what happened. Avoid swimming, alcohol, recreational drugs, cooking over heat, ladders, power tools, and being alone in risky places until you have had medical advice.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether this definitely was a seizure.
  • You do not need to work out the cause tonight.
  • You do not need to research every possible diagnosis.
  • You do not need to complete DVLA forms while you are confused; do not drive, and follow DVLA rules if a seizure or blackout has happened.
  • You do not need to make long-term work, travel, or lifestyle decisions now.

Important reassurance

A strange episode of sensations and confusion can feel frightening and unreal. Treating it seriously, staying safe, not driving, and getting same-day advice is a sensible first response, even if it later turns out to have another cause.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Diagnosis, tests, referral, medication, work restrictions, and driving rules may need advice from NHS 111, a GP, an emergency department, a specialist, or DVLA guidance.

Important note

This guide is general information, not medical, legal, therapeutic, or professional advice. If you feel worse, you are not returning to normal, or you are unsure whether it is an emergency, call 999.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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