Keeping a seizure diary

Seizure diaries are a good tool to help you track and manage your epilepsy.

On this page we explain what a seizure diary is. We also give examples of apps and downloadable diaries.

You can download Epilepsy Action’s own seizure diary from this page.

Woman updating her seizure diary on a tablet

What is a seizure diary?

A seizure diary is a good way of recording information about your epilepsy. It can help you to see progress or changes to your epilepsy over time.

You can share your diary with medical professionals such as your GP, epilepsy specialist or epilepsy nurse. This can help you and your medical professional to have a two-way conversation about what needs to happen next in your treatment.

Keeping a seizure diary can also be useful if you’ve had a suspected seizure but haven’t got a diagnosis yet. It can help you to explain the experiences you’re having to your GP or specialist.

 

You can use a seizure diary to make a note of:

  • When your seizures are happening
  • The types of seizures you’re having
  • How long they last
  • Whether you have any video evidence of the seizure
  • Whether there are any possible triggers that might be affecting your seizures
  • If you notice anything before your seizures (pre-ictal symptoms)
  • How you feel after a seizure and how long your recovery takes (post-ictal symptoms)
  • Your monthly periods, if you think they may affect when your seizures happen
  • Tracking when you take your epilepsy medicines and any other medicines you take
  • Possible side effects of your epilepsy medicines
  • What effect any changes to your epilepsy medicine are having
  • Anything else you’re noticing about your wellbeing

 

There are lots diaries and apps available, so it’s worth trying out a few different ones. This will help you find one that works for you or someone else to use regularly.

Online diaries and diary apps

Please note: Epilepsy Action can’t recommend any of the companies or products listed on this page. There may be other products and stockists available.

Epilepsy Action free seizure diary

Download our interactive PDF seizure diary. You can either use this electronically or print it out.

This information has been produced under the terms of the PIF TICK. The PIF TICK is the UK-wide Quality Mark for Health Information. Please contact website@epilepsy.org.uk if you would like a reference list for this information.
Published: July 2024
Last modified: August 2024
To be reviewed: July 2027
Tracking: L033.06 (previously F140)
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