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Atonic seizures

Signs and symptoms

Some people call atonic seizures drop attacks.

What happens

  • Atonic seizures make the muscles go floppy, the person loses all muscle tone
  • The person might drop to the floor or if they don’t fall completely their head can drop forward and they might sag at the knees
  • The seizures happen suddenly and are brief, usually lasting 1 or 2 seconds
  • Falling suddenly can result in injuries, usually to the head, nose or face

What happens afterwards

Recovery from an atonic seizure tends to be immediate. The person might feel shaken if they have fallen. If there has been an accident or injury because of the seizure, this might need attention and recording in an accident book.

How to help

For how to help someone who is having an atonic seizure, go to the first aid for seizures information.

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