Seizure library

Absence/petit mal seizures

(ab-sans/pe-tē-mal)

• Previously known as petit mal seizures
• Causes a short period of “blanking out” or staring into space
• During the seizure, the person's motor symptoms are minimal except for subtle ones such as eyelid flutter
• Usually affect only a person’s awareness of what is going on at that time, with immediate recovery

Atonic seizures

(a-taa-nik)

• May be referred to as a “drop attack” or “drop seizure”
• Person has a sudden loss of muscle tone and goes limp
• Mild seizures look like a head nod or drop, while severe seizures can cause a person to fall to the ground
• People with these types of seizures may wear helmets to protect from injuries

Atypical absence seizures

(a-TIP-i-kul/ab-sans)

• Period of "blanking out" or staring into space as also seen during typical absence seizures
• Referred to as "atypical" as the person may exhibit small movements such as chewing or lip smacking, and/or finger or hand rubbing
• May begin and end more gradually compared to typical absence seizures

Clonic seizures

(klä-nik)

• Associated with repeated, rhythmic jerking movements lasting a few seconds to a minute that cannot be stopped by restraining or repositioning the arms or legs
• Hemiclonic seizures occur when sustained rhythmic jerking rapidly involves one side of the body at seizure onset
• Most commonly occur in babies
• Often seen as part of a tonic-clonic seizure and may be difficult to distinguish from a myoclonic seizure; however, the jerking is more regular and sustained during a clonic seizure
• May also be associated with jerking that follows stiffening of muscles, as in a tonic-clonic seizure, and can last seconds to 1 to 2 minutes

Focal aware/simple partial seizures

(fō-kǝl ǝ-'wer/sim-pǝl pär-shǝl)

• Used to be called simple partial seizures
• Person is fully alert and usually able to interact

Experiences can include:

• Involuntary motor movements on one side of the body
• Intense sensory or emotional episodes, such as déjà vu or feeling unexplained emotions

Focal impaired awareness/complex partial seizures

(fō-kǝl im-'perd ǝ-'wer-nǝs/käm-,pleks pär-shǝl)

• Used to be called complex partial seizures
• Person loses awareness, may not respond, and may have no memory of the seizure

Experiences vary, but can include:

• Starting with a blank stare, followed by chewing/lip smacking
• Random activity like picking at the air or clothes, attempting to pick up objects, removing clothing, repeating words or phrases, etc

Generalized tonic-clonic/grand mal seizures

(jen-rǝ-,līzd tän-i(k)-'klä-nik/grän(d)-,mäl)

• Formerly known as “grand mal” seizures. This seizure type is what most people think of when they hear the word “seizure”
• Person loses consciousness or awareness, muscles extend and become rigid, and then jerk rhythmically on both sides of the body

Infantile spasms/epileptic spasms

(in-fǝn-,tī(-ǝ)l/e-pǝ-'lep-tik spa-zǝms)

• Typically occurs within first year of life, usually by 4 to 8 months
• Typically seen as a sudden stiffening of the body and brief bending forward or backward of the arms, legs, and head (can occur with limbs coming inwards toward chest, but not always)
• Face may grimace or look surprised
• Some infants arch their backs as they extend their arms and legs
• Some infants may experience head drops
• Frequently occur in clusters upon awakening or going to sleep
• May look like a startle reflex in infants

Myoclonic seizures

(MY-o-KLON-ik)

• Sudden, brief, shock-like muscle movements or jerks that usually don’t last more than a second or two
• Person is alert
• May occur in clusters and may be more pronounced upon wakening

Tonic seizures

(tän-i(k))

• Muscles in the body, arms, or legs suddenly become stiff or tense
• May happen during sleep, but can happen at any time of the day
• Can cause a person to fall if standing
• Typically lasts for less than 20 seconds at a time