Most of us have experienced a sudden jerk as we are falling asleep. Although this jerk is not epilepsy, it is similar to the jerks experienced by someone who has myoclonic seizures. The term myoclonic comes from myo meaning muscle, and clonus meaning jerk.

Myoclonic seizures can affect your whole body, but are usually restricted to one or both arms and sometimes your head. During the seizure, you are not conscious, but it is so brief that you appear to remain fully conscious. Sometimes, the jerking is severe enough to make you fall.

Myoclonic seizures usually happen in the morning. The seizures are brief, but they can be extremely frustrating. For example, they can often result in spilt drinks or similar accidents.

• First aid for seizures
• Back to generalised seizures