Father of two Matthew Strain has been charged more than 100 times by police and spent $100,000 fighting in court – but he insists he's no criminal.

The Melbourne man has epilepsy, and suffers a seizure about once a month.

"The way his body tenses up, he grits his teeth, the way he moans in pain - it's just heart-wrenching to watch," his partner Deshia said.

Father of two Matthew Strain insists he's not a criminal. (9news)

"I just hold his face, hold his hand, and I kiss him and tell him I love him."

But even after the seizure finishes, Mr Strain's ordeal is just beginning.

He said his conscious thought and recognition were simply "not there" - and claims that if in this state he's startled, he can grow aggressive, while never remembering a thing.

Mr Strain has been charged more than 100 times by police. (9news)

St Vincent’s Hospital director of neurology Professor Mark Cook says he believes Mr Strain is not in control of his actions.

"So Matthew's seizures start in the frontal lobe of his brain," Prof Cook said.

Mr Strain is afflicted with epilepsy, and can grow aggressive after a seizure. (9news)

"He had an injury there which caused a scar and that part of the brain is responsible for mood and behaviour, aggression, so when it's not working properly after a seizure, we see the sorts of behaviour that Matthew suffers.

Although 250,000 Australians are currently diagnosed with epilepsy, public understanding is low.

In Mr Strain's case, worried onlookers will often call Triple Zero.

Professor Mark Cook from St Vincent's Hospital says he believes Mr Strain is not in control of his actions. (9news)

Prof Cook said Mr Strain's frontal lobe, which controlled mood and behaviour, did not work properly after a seizure. (9news)

"So as soon as they touch him, Matt will push them back or run away," Deshia said.

"He's been pepper sprayed, handcuffed. I had to witness him being pepper sprayed, sitting on the ground, the concrete, being washed down with cold water."

Mr Strain said his reactions were not the result of a "conscious decision".

Mr Strain's partner Deshia said his fits were "heart wrenching". (9news)

“I know I’m going to get hurt and probably placed in handcuffs,” he said.

“I don’t know what’s happening or where I am.”

The 46-year-old Melbourne economist has been charged with a raft of offences including swearing in public, causing an affray, resisting arrest, damaging public property and assaulting police officers and paramedics. Mr Strain says he intends to fight the latest charges.

Mr Strain has spent $100,000 fighting police charges in court. (9news)

Prof Cook said for healthcare workers, dealing with people that put you in personal danger was a "very difficult situation".

But he believes Mr Strain’s condition has “destroyed his life”.

The Epilepsy Foundation says it is supporting Matthew and calling for more training for first responders.