Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsSignificanceTestingCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Significance
Testing
Coping
The postictal phase refers to the period of time immediately following aseizure. The postictal phase can last for only a few seconds up to sometimes even days.It is commonly thought of as the time during which the brain recovers from a seizure.
This article describes the range of symptoms that can occur in the postictal phase and how to cope. It also covers tests that may be done to help form a diagnosis.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Symptoms of the Postictal Phase
The postictal phase of a seizure is the last stage and can last for seconds or minutes up to hours or days. The otherphases of a seizuremay include:
The types and severity of symptoms in the postictal phase are largely dependent on the part of the brain involved and how long the seizure lasted. Symptoms can be both mental and physical in nature.
Mental
Postictal symptoms can include awareness, sensory, emotional, or thought changes, such as:
In some cases, people experience more extreme mental symptoms, including:
If you suspect postictal psychosis in yourself or someone else, contact a healthcare provider about how it can be treated and managed. Be aware ofsuicide warning signs, such as talking about wanting to die.
On the flip side, some people experience an excessively happy feeling after a seizure called “postictal bliss.”
Physical
Physical symptoms of the postictal phase include:
As a result of a seizure, a person may also experience injuries ranging from head traumas and bone fractures to bruises and bitten tongues.
Postictal headaches are a common complaint among people withepilepsy.One possible explanation for this is thebrain swellingthat can result from a seizure.
In some cases, a person may only be aware they’ve had a seizure when a postictal migraine appears.
Postictal symptoms can sometimes help healthcare providers determine the focus of the seizure—that is, where in the brain the seizure activity started.
Some examples of this include:
Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms, as well as your medical history and that of your family members.
Various tests help diagnose the type of seizure and its potential causes:
It may seem that taking an EEG after a seizure has limited value—rather like checking the weather report after a storm has passed. However, the event leaves a trail of altered brain activity that can help doctors characterize seizures so they know how to treat them better in the future.
Managing and coping with postictal symptoms starts with recognizing what the symptoms are and what is typical for a particular person.
For instance, if your child usually has a postictal migraine, their doctor may be able to prescribe medication that you can give them right after a seizure.
Attendance to physical needs (such as thirst), a safe and calm environment, rest, reassurance, and emotional support can all help as well.
If you observe postictal behavior or symptoms that are not typical for that person, get immediate medical help. A serious brain injury, change, or complication may be involved.
Postictal delirium typically goes away quickly. However, some people with severe mental deficits and extensive brain abnormalities may experience delirium that can last for several days after repetitive seizures.
These people require significantly more observation and care.
If you or someone you care for exhibits violent or extremely agitated behavior, seek medical attention. Talk to a healthcare provider about resources and potential medications that may help alleviate aggressive or violent behavior.
Coping With Epilepsy
Summary
Postictal symptoms vary from person to person and can include sensory, emotional, or thought changes. Physical symptoms can include headaches.
Sometimes the type of symptoms can help your healthcare providers determine where in the brain the activity is occurring and potential causes.
If you are in a position to care for someone in this state, ask them questions about what is typical. When you are familiar with their “normal” course, call their healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns, or if a particular postictal phase seems abnormal for them.
If needed, a physician can also help with long-term strategies.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pottkämper JCM, Hofmeijer J, Waarde JA van, Putten MJAM van.The postictal state — What do we know?Epilepsia. 2020;61(6):1045-1061. doi:10.1111/epi.16519Subota A, Khan S, Josephson CB, et al.Signs and symptoms of the postictal period in epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Epilepsy Behav. 2019;94:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.03.014Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure phases.Shahisavandi M, Zeraatpisheh Z, Rostaminejad M, Asadi-Pooya AA.Treatment of postictal headache: a systematic review and future directions.Epilepsy & Behavior. 2021;119:107971. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107971Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosis 101: the basics.Baumgartner C, Koren JP.Seizure detection using scalp-EEG.Epilepsia. 2018;59 Suppl 1:14-22. doi:10.1111/epi.14052Additional ReadingFisher RS, Engel JJ.Definition of the postictal state: when does it start and end?Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):100-4. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.038Hilger E, Zimprich F, Pataraia E, et al.Psychoses in epilepsy: A comparison of postictal and interictal psychoses.Epilepsy Behav. 2016 Jul;60:58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.04.005Krauss G, Theodore WH.Treatment strategies in the postictal state.Epilepsy Behav. 2010 Oct;19(2):188-90. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.030.Rémi J, Noachtar S.Clinical features of the postictal state: correlation with seizure variables.Epilepsy Behav.2010;19(2):114-7. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.039Theodore WH.The postictal state: effects of age and underlying brain dysfunction.Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):118-20. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.031
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pottkämper JCM, Hofmeijer J, Waarde JA van, Putten MJAM van.The postictal state — What do we know?Epilepsia. 2020;61(6):1045-1061. doi:10.1111/epi.16519Subota A, Khan S, Josephson CB, et al.Signs and symptoms of the postictal period in epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Epilepsy Behav. 2019;94:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.03.014Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure phases.Shahisavandi M, Zeraatpisheh Z, Rostaminejad M, Asadi-Pooya AA.Treatment of postictal headache: a systematic review and future directions.Epilepsy & Behavior. 2021;119:107971. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107971Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosis 101: the basics.Baumgartner C, Koren JP.Seizure detection using scalp-EEG.Epilepsia. 2018;59 Suppl 1:14-22. doi:10.1111/epi.14052Additional ReadingFisher RS, Engel JJ.Definition of the postictal state: when does it start and end?Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):100-4. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.038Hilger E, Zimprich F, Pataraia E, et al.Psychoses in epilepsy: A comparison of postictal and interictal psychoses.Epilepsy Behav. 2016 Jul;60:58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.04.005Krauss G, Theodore WH.Treatment strategies in the postictal state.Epilepsy Behav. 2010 Oct;19(2):188-90. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.030.Rémi J, Noachtar S.Clinical features of the postictal state: correlation with seizure variables.Epilepsy Behav.2010;19(2):114-7. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.039Theodore WH.The postictal state: effects of age and underlying brain dysfunction.Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):118-20. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.031
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pottkämper JCM, Hofmeijer J, Waarde JA van, Putten MJAM van.The postictal state — What do we know?Epilepsia. 2020;61(6):1045-1061. doi:10.1111/epi.16519Subota A, Khan S, Josephson CB, et al.Signs and symptoms of the postictal period in epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Epilepsy Behav. 2019;94:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.03.014Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure phases.Shahisavandi M, Zeraatpisheh Z, Rostaminejad M, Asadi-Pooya AA.Treatment of postictal headache: a systematic review and future directions.Epilepsy & Behavior. 2021;119:107971. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107971Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosis 101: the basics.Baumgartner C, Koren JP.Seizure detection using scalp-EEG.Epilepsia. 2018;59 Suppl 1:14-22. doi:10.1111/epi.14052
Pottkämper JCM, Hofmeijer J, Waarde JA van, Putten MJAM van.The postictal state — What do we know?Epilepsia. 2020;61(6):1045-1061. doi:10.1111/epi.16519
Subota A, Khan S, Josephson CB, et al.Signs and symptoms of the postictal period in epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Epilepsy Behav. 2019;94:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.03.014
Epilepsy Foundation.Seizure phases.
Shahisavandi M, Zeraatpisheh Z, Rostaminejad M, Asadi-Pooya AA.Treatment of postictal headache: a systematic review and future directions.Epilepsy & Behavior. 2021;119:107971. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107971
Epilepsy Foundation.Diagnosis 101: the basics.
Baumgartner C, Koren JP.Seizure detection using scalp-EEG.Epilepsia. 2018;59 Suppl 1:14-22. doi:10.1111/epi.14052
Fisher RS, Engel JJ.Definition of the postictal state: when does it start and end?Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):100-4. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.038Hilger E, Zimprich F, Pataraia E, et al.Psychoses in epilepsy: A comparison of postictal and interictal psychoses.Epilepsy Behav. 2016 Jul;60:58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.04.005Krauss G, Theodore WH.Treatment strategies in the postictal state.Epilepsy Behav. 2010 Oct;19(2):188-90. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.030.Rémi J, Noachtar S.Clinical features of the postictal state: correlation with seizure variables.Epilepsy Behav.2010;19(2):114-7. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.039Theodore WH.The postictal state: effects of age and underlying brain dysfunction.Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):118-20. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.031
Fisher RS, Engel JJ.Definition of the postictal state: when does it start and end?Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):100-4. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.038
Hilger E, Zimprich F, Pataraia E, et al.Psychoses in epilepsy: A comparison of postictal and interictal psychoses.Epilepsy Behav. 2016 Jul;60:58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.04.005
Krauss G, Theodore WH.Treatment strategies in the postictal state.Epilepsy Behav. 2010 Oct;19(2):188-90. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.030.
Rémi J, Noachtar S.Clinical features of the postictal state: correlation with seizure variables.Epilepsy Behav.2010;19(2):114-7. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.039
Theodore WH.The postictal state: effects of age and underlying brain dysfunction.Epilepsy Behav. 2010;19(2):118-20. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.06.031
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