(3)
He does not understand what is said, and he resists help.
(4) He is mentally confused for another one to two minutes after the seizure
seems to be over.
(5) Following the seizure, the individual usually does not remember what he
did during the attack.
(6) Psychomotor seizures may develop at any age and are usually
associated with structural lesions of the temporal lobe of the brain.
f. Hysterical Attacks. This condition may resemble grand mal epilepsy.
Characteristics of the attack include the following:
(1)
The attack begins slower, and the person's movements are purposeful.
(2)
He experiences no tongue biting or incontinence.
(3)
He remains conscious.
(4)
If and when he falls, he does not usually injure himself.
(5) He may resist help, and the "convulsion" may be erratic and atypical
(unusual and not typical of seizures).
(6)
The patient usually has a history of emotional upset and neurosis.
4-4.
TREATMENT OF SEIZURE DISORDERS
a. General Principles. Included are the following:
(1)
Encourage the person to lead a normal life with social activities.
(2) Recommend moderate exercise with proper safeguards; for example,
swimming and horseback riding.
(3)
Automobile driving after one year has passed since the last seizure.
(4)
No alcoholic beverages.
(5) The individual's family should use their common sense and guard
against overprotecting him and being overly sympathetic. The family should suggest
that the person enter vocational rehabilitation and join a local interest group such as the
Epilepsy Foundation of America. They should encourage the person to take his
medication regularly and to carry an identification card stating that he is an epileptic.
MD0572
4-5