Laughing at a seizure

[AtLastEarwax]

Not sure if this is in the right section but anyway...

Sister in laws partner told a 'story' the other day about someone he knew had a seizure whilst with him in a shop. He said he couldn't help her and had to run outside because he couldn't stop laughing.

He doesn't know I have epilepsy, well controlled but it's likely I'll have another seizure in my life. Knowing that has made me so anxious though that if it happened to me people would laugh??

AIBU thinking like that??

I was in the gym when a man had a seizure and I was impressed how everyone reacted.

The staff first aiders did what they needed to do to keep him safe till the paramedics arrived. The people on the machines close by discreetly collected their things and disappeared without a fuss. Everyone else carried on and pretended they hasn't noticed; not in an uncaring way, the very opposite, to give the man and the medics space without being goggled at or having a big scene created.

I would hope most people would do similar OP. Even if they don't know what to do, they clear the decks and help (even passively) the people who do.

Op didnt say it was a funny annecdote.

Some people laugh as a stress reaction. It's not about finding things funny and they can't always control it.

What a vile individual.

Some people, my grandmother for example would laugh at inappropriate things. It can be an anxiety reaction.

My late father had seizures and it’s awful to run away.

My late father had seizures and it’s awful to run away.
Surely it was better leaving than than standing there nervously laughing . Nervous laughing is part of the fight and flight reflex as well. Everyone reacts differently to stressfull situations, doest make them vile.

Shows this is truly a very low form of life. Your sister in laws' ''partner'' you say?

@tara66

Shows this is truly a very low form of life. Your sister in laws' ''partner'' you say?

Yet another ignorant poster

@bruffin

My late father had seizures and it’s awful to run away. Surely it was better leaving than than standing there nervously laughing . Nervous laughing is part of the fight and flight reflex as well. Everyone reacts differently to stressfull situations, doest make them vile.

No it doesn't.

But then telling everyone about it as if it's something amusing does make you a twat.

A decent human being would have gone away and read up on epilepsy society website or single and escalated themselves.

The story would have been that they were so embarrassed to have reacted the way they did but have learnt this and want to share that knowledge should they find themselves in that situation.

I am utterly appalled at what I’ve read here.
It makes you question humanity.

Itsgettingweird
Who said it was told in an amusing way. We dont know how the story was told originally and it says more about the posters on here that they have assumed he thought it was amusing.

He told it as a story.

Anyone who tells a story that puts them in a bad light is t embarrassed if they don't add what they have done to make sure they improve the situation next time.

And I can assure you if I had acted so inappropriately to something I wouldn't be sharing it. I'd be embarrassed of myself and hoping no one ever found out. Whilst making sure I never felt I needed to behave that way again.

I think on the surface this does sound awful but like others have said this could've been a stress reaction. I had to fight the urge to burst out laughing throughout my father's funeral. There was nothing remotely funny about it at all, but I could barely help myself.

You dont how it was told. You dont he didnt go away and find out more he could have been telling the story to do just that.
I dont think its nice making assumption anout people on an annecdote on the internet

@bruffin Riiiiiight 🤨 you’re definitely stretching there

So is everyone on this thread. We dont know because Op hasnt said . But i would rather give benefit if doubt when nervous laughter is not rare.

He said it in a 'hey, guess what happened to me the other day' instance

In a seizure I would say protect the head, just make sure that is safe and recovery position if you can. Or turn on the left side

I know I would be extremely grateful to someone who helped me

For the laughter part, no I would not laugh at a heart attack, nor would I laugh at any other instance where someone could be hurt

May I ask, why would you turn on the left side?

It's to prevent swallowing anything that you may choke on x

Effectively blocked your airway

I have seizures. If there is someone with me already and they don’t need any help then the nicest thing you could do for me is go away. Keeping others away would also be good- Eg standing with your back to me to shield me from the view of others. Coming out of it to a sea of concerned faces is a bit much.

I’ve only known kindness when i’ve seized in public, which I am very grateful for.

Just to be clear, the recovery position should be after the convulsing has stopped. Don’t try and move someone having a seizure unless they’re in harms way.

Tilt head back to prevent choking and check the tongue isn't swallowed after the person has stopped convulsing.

You turn onto the left side to aid pregnant women - it is safer for blood flow to the baby so is the rule of thumb in all cases.

I have epilepsy, someone laughing at me having a seizure wouldn't really bother me that much to be honest.

Being mugged whilst having one, yeah, that bothers me.

@Wankerchief

It's not uncommon sadly. I had a fit in public and someone filmed and ended up in the internet and had tens of thousands of strangers laughing at me. Some of my family forwarded with a lol is this you, I haven't spoken to them since

I've had some since and been helped too so I can't say all bad experiences.

That's utterly shocking.

There’s some good clear information about seizure first aid here...

www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/firstaid/what-to-do

If you’re in the position of needing to help someone having a seizure and you don’t know what to do, you can always call 999 who will talk you through it.