What are Nocturnal Seizures?

Nocturnal Seizures: The Hidden Seizures That Happen While You Sleep

Are you waking up exhausted, confused, or with unexplained injuries? You might be experiencing nocturnal seizures, epileptic episodes that happen during sleep and often go undetected for years.

If you or someone you love has epilepsy, understanding nocturnal seizures could be the key to better seizure control, improved sleep quality, mental health and long-term safety.

Here’s everything you need to know about these silent seizures that may affect up to 1 in 3 people with epilepsy.

What Are Nocturnal Seizures?

Nocturnal seizures are epileptic seizures that occur exclusively or predominantly during sleep—whether during nighttime rest or daytime naps. They’re often difficult to detect and diagnose because the person experiencing them is unconscious.

These seizures typically happen during non-REM sleep, the deep stages of sleep when brain activity slows and becomes more synchronized, making the brain more vulnerable to seizures.

Did you know?
Studies show that up to 86% of nocturnal seizures go unnoticed.

Who Gets Nocturnal Seizures?

According to the Sleep Foundation, around 10–15% of people with epilepsy experience nocturnal seizures. Some epilepsy syndromes are more closely associated with sleep seizures, including:

• Awakening tonic-clonic seizures (formerly called grand mal seizures)

• Frontal lobe epilepsy (Sleep-Related Hypermotor Epilepsy)

• Landau-Kleffner syndrome

• Benign rolandic epilepsy – common in children; ~90% of seizures occur at night

• Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy – seizures often occur in early morning hours

How Do I Know If I’m Having Nocturnal Seizures?

Because these seizures occur while sleeping, recognizing them can be tricky. But your body and behavior may provide clues:

Physical Signs

• Waking up tired or groggy, even after a full night’s sleep;

• Tongue bites, cuts, or mouth injuries;

• Bedwetting or loss of bladder control;

• Unexplained bruises, soreness, or muscle aches;

• Torn sheets or twisted pajamas;

• Morning headaches;

Daytime Symptoms

• Persistent fatigue or brain fog;

• Memory problems or confusion;

• Mood swings or irritability;

• Trouble concentrating;

• Increased anxiety around bedtime.

What Others Might Notice

• Jerking or twitching;

• Gasping, moaning or other vocal sounds;

• Unusual movements or postures in bed;

• Sitting up, wandering, or repeating motions;

• Periods of stiffening followed by rhythmic shaking.

   

Why Are Nocturnal Seizures Dangerous?

Nighttime seizures may appear invisible, but carry severe risks.

Sleep Disruption

Even if you don’t remember it, your brain does. Disrupted sleep can lead to:

• Daytime exhaustion;

• Impaired focus and memory;

• More seizures, due to sleep deprivation.

Safety Risks

• Injury during seizures (falling from bed, hitting furniture);

• Accidents the following day due to sleep-related fatigue;

• SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) — especially during sleep with tonic-clonic seizures.

Read more: What is SUDEP? – Epilepsy Foundation

Emotional & Social Impact

• Fear of sleeping alone;

• Anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions;

• Sleep deprivation (especially for caregivers);

• Co-sleeping;

• Isolation from skipping social events or travel.

How Are Nocturnal Seizures Diagnosed?

Clinical Evaluation

• Patient history and sleep symptom tracking;

• Caregiver or partner observations;

• Use of a sleep diary to record patterns.

Diagnostic Tests

• Overnight EEG (brainwave monitoring during sleep);

• Video-EEG polysomnography (adds video recording to capture physical symptoms);

• Home EEG devices for longer-term monitoring;

• Sleep studies to rule out other conditions.

Why It’s Challenging

• Symptoms are often subtle or mistaken for something else

• Seizures may not occur during short monitoring windows

• Equipment is expensive and not widely accessible

• Specialized epilepsy centers may be hard to reach

Treatment Options for Nocturnal Seizures

Medications

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the first line of defense. Your neurologist may adjust timing to better cover night hours.

However, combination therapy may be used if one medication isn’t enough.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Keep a consistent sleep routine;

• Avoid sleep deprivation and stress;

• Sleep on your side to reduce SUDEP risk;

• Create a seizure-safe bedroom

Safety & Monitoring Tools

• Seizure monitoring devices especially those that use video and audio, such as Lampsy;

Living With Nocturnal Seizures: Practical Tips

For People with Epilepsy:

• Log symptoms using a seizure diary:

• Keep consistent bedtimes;

• Don’t sleep alone if seizures are uncontrolled;

• Consider a seizure alert system video video and audio, such as Lampsy;

• Discuss options with your neurologist early.

For People with Epilepsy:

• Learn first aid for seizures. You can check our Guide Here. 

• Record and track witnessed episodes;

• Ensure the sleeping area is safe and padded;

• Take breaks to avoid burnout, your sleep matters too!

When to Seek Medical Advice?

Talk to your doctor if you notice:

• New or worsening morning fatigue;

• Unexplained injuries or tongue biting;

• Witnessed seizure-like activity during sleep;

• Changes in your typical seizure pattern;

 Call emergency services if:

• A seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes;

• The person doesn’t wake or respond after the seizure;

• Multiple seizures happen back-to-back;

• There’s serious injury or difficulty breathing.

The Future of Seizure Monitoring Is at Home

Traditional seizure monitoring devices rely on uncomfortable wearables or poorly accurate monitors. But we’re changing that.

At Lampsy, we’re developing a smart, non-invasive device to help detect abnormal movements at home, without uncomfortable sensors on the skin.

Our device is designed to:

• Catch abnormal movements while you sleep with over 99% accuracy;

• Notify emergency contacts of suspicious activity with 18x fewer false alarms than alternatives;

• Empower you with more accurate data you can share;

• Help families sleep with confidence and peace of mind. 

Join the Lampsy waitlist today and join the hundreds of families waiting to access the future of epilepsy care.

FAQs About Nocturnal Seizures

Can stress cause nocturnal seizures?
Yes. Stress and sleep deprivation are common triggers for all seizure types.

Are nocturnal seizures more dangerous than daytime seizures?
All seizures carry risks, but nocturnal seizures carry an increased risk of SUDEP and delayed response and medical attention.

Can kids outgrow nocturnal seizures?
Some syndromes like benign rolandic epilepsy may resolve in adolescence.

Should I wake someone having a seizure in sleep?
No. Focus on keeping them safe, timing the seizure, and calling for help if needed.

Nocturnal seizures may happen while someone is unconscious, but their impact is far from invisible. The fatigue, the worry, the safety risks, they’re real. But so are the solutions.

With the right knowledge, support and technology, families struggling with epilepsy can take back their nights.