Recognising Non-Convulsive Seizures in the Workplace

When most people picture a seizure, they imagine someone falling to the ground, body stiffening and shaking. That image describes one type of seizure, the tonic-clonic, but it represents only a portion of how seizures actually present. Many seizures involve no convulsions at all. In a workplace setting, these are the seizures most likely to be missed, misread, or dismissed as something else entirely.

This is more than a knowledge gap. When a non-convulsive seizure is mistaken for inattention, intoxication, or rudeness, the person experiencing it may face disciplinary consequences instead of support. Colleagues may fail to provide appropriate care. Safeguarding risks can go unnoticed. Recognising these seizures is a core part of responsible workplace epilepsy awareness.

What non-convulsive seizures look like

Non-convulsive seizures fall into several categories, each with its own presentation.

Absence seizures involve a brief lapse in awareness, often lasting only a few seconds. The person may stop mid-sentence, stare blankly, blink rapidly, or appear to be daydreaming. They typically have no memory of the episode and resume activity as if nothing happened.

Focal aware seizures occur when the person remains conscious but experiences unusual sensations, emotions, or movements. This might include a sudden feeling of fear or déjà vu, a strange taste or smell, tingling in one part of the body, or involuntary twitching in a hand or face.

Focal impaired awareness seizures involve altered consciousness without full loss of consciousness. The person may appear confused, perform repetitive movements such as lip-smacking or fiddling with clothing, wander without purpose, or respond inappropriately to questions. These episodes can last from thirty seconds to several minutes, with a recovery period afterwards.

Common workplace misinterpretations

Non-convulsive seizures are routinely mistaken for other things:

• A staff member having an absence seizure during a meeting may be thought of as disengaged or not paying attention.
• An employee experiencing a focal impaired awareness seizure may be assumed to be intoxicated, particularly if they appear confused or unsteady.
• Repetitive automatisms such as lip-smacking or hand movements can be misread as nervous habits or unprofessional behaviour.
• A focal aware seizure that causes a sudden change in mood or expression may be interpreted as rudeness or emotional volatility.

The consequences of these misinterpretations can be significant. An employee may face informal criticism or formal disciplinary processes for behaviour that was, in fact, a seizure.

How colleagues and managers should respond

Recognising a possible non-convulsive seizure requires calm observation rather than immediate intervention. The following steps support a safe and respectful response.

1. Stay with the person. Do not leave them alone, even if they appear physically unharmed.
2. Do not restrain or attempt to stop their movements. Guide them gently away from hazards if needed.
3. Speak calmly and clearly. Do not bombard them with questions during the episode.
4. Note the time the seizure begins and ends, along with what you observed. This information is valuable for the individual and any healthcare professional involved in their care.
5. Allow time for recovery. Confusion, tiredness, or emotional sensitivity may follow.
6. Respect privacy. Do not discuss the episode with uninvolved colleagues.

If the person has a known epilepsy diagnosis and a workplace support plan, follow the plan. If there is no plan and the episode is unexplained, seek medical advice and support the person in accessing it.

When to call 999

A non-convulsive seizure is not usually a medical emergency on its own. However, emergency services should be called if:

• The seizure lasts longer than five minutes
• One seizure follows another without recovery in between
• The person is injured during the seizure
• The person has difficulty breathing afterwards
• This is the first known seizure
• You are unsure and need clinical guidance

Building recognition into workplace training

Awareness of non-convulsive seizures should be part of any meaningful workplace epilepsy training. Generic first aid training rarely covers these presentations in enough depth. Structured training helps managers, HR teams, and colleagues recognise what they are seeing, respond appropriately, and avoid the misinterpretations that can cause real harm.

Get in touch

National Epilepsy Training delivers practical, workplace-relevant training that goes beyond generic awareness. Our Epilepsy Awareness Training course covers seizure types in detail, including non-convulsive presentations, and gives staff the confidence to respond appropriately. Online options are also available through our Epilepsy Awareness Online Training Courses.

To discuss training for your organisation, please complete the contact form below and a member of our team will be in touch.