Less Talked About Signs of Seizures

This post includes quotes and anecdotal information from the epilepsy community that are sourced from an archived forum. The content in this post may not apply to everyone. Experiences with epilepsy and seizures vary greatly on an individual basis. The information shared in this post should not be substituted for medical advice. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any non-urgent medical questions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

Less Talked About Signs of Seizures

Seizures can show up in quiet, surprising ways that many people may not realize. People with epilepsy may notice changes in how things feel, look, or sound, as well as body changes that are hard to explain. They may notice these feelings before, during, or after a seizure. These less talked about signs of seizures can be easy to miss.

Community Voices: Questions & Answers

These common questions from people living with epilepsy were shared in the epilepsy forum.

Q1: Can seizures cause goosebumps or chills? 
A: Yes. Some seizures can cause goosebumps, shivering, or chills. These feelings are usually brief and may be hard for other people to notice.

Q2: Why do I feel a “sinking” or pressure feeling in my head? 
A: This can happen during a focal seizure. It is usually brief and may feel like pressure or movement inside your head. Writing down when it happens can help your doctor find patterns.

Q3: Can seizures cause ringing or buzzing in the ears? 
A: Yes. Some seizures can cause ringing or buzzing sounds. Telling your doctor about this can help them understand your symptoms.

Q4: I sometimes feel tingling or a “crawling” feeling on my skin. Could that be a seizure? 
A: Maybe. Tingling, numbness, or a crawling feeling can be part of a seizure warning sign. It helps to write down where you feel it, when it happens, and how long it lasts.

Q5: Can seizures cause nausea or vomiting? 
A: Yes. Some seizures can make people feel sick to their stomach or vomit. Keeping track of these times can help your care team see a pattern.

Q6: Why do I feel tired, foggy, or sore after a seizure? 
A: These are common after-effects of a seizure. You may feel very tired, have a headache, feel confused, or have sore muscles. These feelings can last from a few minutes to several hours, and sometimes longer.

Q7: Are déjà vu, sudden changes in vision, or strange smells signs of a seizure? 
A: Yes. These can be warning signs of a seizure for some people. They may happen before the seizure starts.

Why Subtle Symptoms Are Often Missed

Not all seizures look the same. Some start in one part of the brain and may not cause big movements or make a person pass out. Because these seizures can be hard to see, they are often missed or confused with other health problems, like migraines or anxiety. Here are a few reasons these signs may be missed:

• They can be hard to describe because other people cannot see them.
• They can look like other problems, such as migraines, vertigo, or anxiety.
• Regular EEG tests may not always catch them.

Start a seizure diary to keep track of any seizure symptoms.

Less Talked About Seizure Symptoms

Sensory and Perceptual Changes

These symptoms are usually brief and may not be noticed by other people. Even so, they can give helpful clues about where a seizure starts.

• Things appearing bigger than they are: Some people say objects look bigger, stretched, or out of proportion for a short time.
• A sinking or pressure feeling in the head: Some people feel brief pressure or movement inside the head.
• Vision changes: Some people see flashing lights, flickers, or blind spots. This can happen even if a bigger seizure does not follow.

Autonomic or “Body Control” Symptoms

These symptoms happen when a seizure affects parts of the brain that help control body functions, such as heart rate or body temperature.

• Goosebumps or waves of cold: Some people feel goosebumps, shivers, or chills during or just before a seizure.
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears: Some seizures can cause sounds like ringing or buzzing.
• A shaking feeling inside the body: Some people feel a light vibration or shaking that other people cannot see.

Postictal (After-Seizure) Effects

Writing down how you feel after a seizure can help your care team understand your recovery and decide if your care needs to change.

• Headache, tiredness, or brain fog
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle pain or tingling

Tracking and Reporting Symptoms

Even subtle symptoms matter. Here are some tips for tracking them and talking about them with your doctor:

• Keep a symptom journal: Write down the date, time, what you felt, and what happened before and after.
• Be specific: Saying “I felt goosebumps down my left arm” is more helpful than saying “I felt weird.”
• Ask questions at appointments: You can ask, “Could this be part of a seizure?”
• Bring examples: Notes from a journal or app can help your doctor see patterns.

Not every unusual feeling is a seizure. Some symptoms can look like migraines, anxiety, or vertigo. It may take testing, observation, and good notes to tell the difference.

If you have new or severe symptoms, especially long-lasting confusion, weakness, or repeated vomiting, contact your care provider right away.

Start Today

Living with epilepsy means learning to notice your body’s signals. Many people have subtle or confusing symptoms and feel relieved when they learn those symptoms are real. Every detail matters. Sharing what you notice with your care team can help lead to the right diagnosis, safer care, and better seizure control.

Helpful tools are available, including symptom trackers and self-management resources.