Generalised seizures are the result of abnormal activity occurring simultaneously in the whole brain. Consciousness is lost at the onset of the seizure. There are several specific types of generalised seizures, including:
- absence
- atonic
- generalised tonic—clonic
- myoclonic
- tonic.
Symptoms and characteristics
Absence seizures
Absence seizures almost always begin in childhood. They are commonly mistaken for daydreaming and inattentiveness and are characterised by staring, loss of facial expression, unresponsiveness, cessation of activity and sometimes eye blinking or upward eye movements.
The seizure starts and ends abruptly lasting approximately 2–20 seconds. There is usually an immediate recovery of mental function and return to previous activity, with no memory of the event.
Atonic seizures
Atonic seizures only occur in persons with severe epilepsy. Atonic seizures are also sometimes referred to as 'drop attacks' and are characterised by a sudden, brief loss of muscle tone of the whole body. The person will abruptly collapse to the ground, usually head first, commonly resulting in facial and head injuries. No noticeable loss of consciousness is experienced and there is usually a swift recovery, unless injured.
Generalised tonic—clonic seizures
These seizures are the most commonly recognised. They often begin with a sudden cry and, if standing, the person will fall to the ground, losing consciousness. The body becomes stiff (tonic), shortly followed by jerking of the muscles (clonic). Breathing is shallow or temporarily suspended causing the lips and complexion to look a bluish grey colour. Saliva, sometimes also with blood if the tongue has been bitten, may come out of the mouth and there may be loss of bladder control. The seizure usually lasts approximately two minutes and is followed by a period of confusion, agitation or sleep. Headaches and soreness are common afterwards.
Myoclonic seizures
Myoclonic seizures are characterised by very brief muscle jerks, usually involving the upper body, but can also involve the lower body or whole body. The person may drop or spill what they are holding or fall off a chair. There is no impairment of consciousness but, if several seizures occur over a short period of time, the person may feel slightly confused or drowsy. With some types of epilepsy these seizures occur shortly after awakening.
Tonic seizures
Tonic seizures only occur in people with severe epilepsy. They are sometimes referred to as 'drop attacks' and are characterised by stiffening of the muscles of the whole body, causing it to go rigid. If a person is standing, they will fall rapidly to the ground. Recovery is swift, but injuries can be sustained. These seizures can also occur in sleep.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are various factors that would assist people experiencing generalised seizures to manage their condition in the workplace. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, such as:
- drive work vehicles only if medically certified to do so
- if having difficulty with memory, use memory aids such as job task boards, lists, task cards, computer prompts or alarms such as watches or timers
- build in time for breaks at work to avoid fatigue which can trigger seizures
- if needing to travel interstate or overseas, ensure medical documentation of condition, treatment requirements and medications, if used, are taken.
For people with epilepsy that is uncontrolled, the following may also be required:
- removing sharp corners and adding padding to the edges of workstations, along with the addition of anti-fatigue matting or carpet to hard floors to reduce risk of injury in the event of a seizure
- avoid the use of, or working around unguarded machinery or tools which could cause injury in the event of a seizure
- avoid working from heights, such as on scaffolding or ladders, around bodies of water or the use of firearms to reduce risk of injury in the event of a seizure.
The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for work related modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability to get employment and perform their work as independently and productively as possible. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Epilepsy Action Australia (no date specified), Lifestyle Issues—Travel, Epilepsy Action Australia, Sydney, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.epilepsy.org.au/living_with_epilepsy/lifestyle_issues/travel.
Epilepsy Action Australia (no date specified), Lifestyle Issues—Memory, Epilepsy Action Australia, Sydney, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.epilepsy.org.au/living_with_epilepsy/lifestyle_issues/memory.
Epilepsy Action Australia (no date specified), Lifestyle Issues—Driving, Epilepsy Action Australia, Sydney, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.epilepsy.org.au/living_with_epilepsy/lifestyle_issues/driving.
Epilepsy Action Australia (no date specified), Understanding epilepsy, Epilepsy Action Australia, Sydney, viewed 17 December 2011,
http://www.epilepsy.org.au/about-epilepsy/understanding-epilepsy.
World Health Organisation 2009, Epilepsy: Fact sheet No 999, World Health Organisation, Geneva, viewed 17 December 2011,
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs999/en/index.html.