What should you know about a CPS seizure?

A CPS seizure is a focal seizure that can reduce awareness while causing unusual movements or behaviour. CPS means complex partial seizure, an older term now commonly replaced by focal impaired-awareness seizure. The person may stare, seem confused, stop responding normally, repeat a movement such as lip-smacking, or have no clear memory afterwards. The seizure begins in one area of the brain, although its effects can spread.

During an episode, speech may be difficult, responses may not make sense, and automatic actions can continue without purposeful awareness. The person may feel fear, a strange smell, an unusual taste, or a rising sensation before awareness changes. A seizure can have several possible triggers or causes, including low blood sugar, alcohol withdrawal, infection, head injury, or epilepsy. One event does not establish the cause.

Stay with the person, move hard or sharp objects away, and guide them away from traffic or heat. Note when the episode starts and what movements or warnings you see. Speak calmly and do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, or offer food, drink, or tablets until full alertness returns. Afterward, allow quiet recovery and arrange medical assessment, especially after a first suspected seizure.

Call emergency services if the seizure lasts longer than expected, repeats without recovery, causes serious injury, happens in water, or breathing does not return normally. Urgent assessment is also needed for a first seizure, pregnancy, diabetes, severe headache, fever with stiff neck, or new weakness. A seizure can occur with meningitis, hypoglycaemia, or alcohol withdrawal, so associated symptoms matter.

Ask what testing may identify the cause, whether a medicine review is needed, and how to reduce risks at home or work. Discuss driving, bathing, swimming, and what an emergency plan should contain. Tell the clinician about sleep loss, missed medicines, alcohol, illness, and anything a witness recorded.