Types of Seizures

Complex Partial Seizures

Complex partial seizures last 1 to 2 minutes. These seizures may have an aura (or warning). Complex Partial Seizures include automatisms (such as lip smacking, picking at clothes, fumbling), unaware of surroundings or may wander. Many treatment options are available including medicines, diet, surgery and devices.

Gelastic and Dacrystic Seizures

Gelastic seizures are called the "laughing seizure" because they may look like bouts of uncontrolled laughter or giggling. However, the laughter-like sounds are often forced and combined with a facial contraction similar to a smile or smirk. In some children, the vocalization has a crying quality and the facial contraction resembles a grimace. These crying seizures are called dacrystic seizures. Gelastics often occur as a child is falling off to sleep but can occur throughout the day and night. Infants and children will often be aroused out of sleep by a gelastic seizure, then settle down and go right back to sleep.

Mayoclonic Seizures

Myoclonic seizures are brief shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles. They occur in a variety of epilepsy syndromes that have different characteristics. During a myoclonic seizure, the person is usually awake and able to think clearly. can occur at any age

Simple Partial Seizures

These seizures can be motor seizures that cause change in muscle activity. These seizures can be sensory seizures that cause changes in any one of the senses. These seizures can be autonomic seizures that cause changes in the part of the nervous system that automatically controls bodily functions. These seizures can be psychic seizures that change how people think, feel, or experience things.

Atonic Seizures

muscles suddenly lose strength. The eyelids may droop, the head may nod, and the person may drop things and often falls to the ground. These seizures are also called "drop attacks" or "drop seizures." The person usually remains conscious. These seizures typically last less than 15 seconds. often start in childhood yet last into adulthood

Febrile Seizures

Children aged 3 months to 6 years may have tonic-clonic seizures when they have a high fever. More likely to occur if there is a family history of febrile seizures. Most children do not require daily treatment with medication. Among children who have their first febrile seizure before their first birthday, half will have at least one more. Long-term outlook is excellent.

Clonic Seizures

Clonic means repeated jerking. Clonic seizure movements cannot be stopped by restraining the person. Clonic seizures are rare. Much more common are tonic-clonic seizures, involving jerking and stiffening of the muscles.

Nonepileptic Seizures or Events

Events that look like seizures but are not due to epilepsy are called "nonepileptic seizures." Some people prefer to use the term "events" rather than seizures caused by subconsious thoughts, emotions or 'stress', not abnormal electrical activity in the brain could be caused by other physical problems

Refractory Seizures

Refractory (uncontrolled) epilepsy is a heavy burden. First it's important to make sure that the diagnosis of epilepsy is correct and that the proper medicines are being used in the best way for each person. The individual with epilepsy needs to look at things they can do to better control their seizures, such as remembering medicines, staying in good health, getting good sleep, minimizing stress and avoiding seizure-precipitating conditions. Non-drug therapies, such as epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation, dietary therapies, or experimental clinical trials, may be good options for some people. Only 5% of people (1 out of 20) with refractory epilepsy get better each year.

Absence Seizures

Simple absence seizure: During a simple absence seizure, a person usually just stares into space for less than 10 seconds Complex absence seizure: During a complex absence seizure, a person will make some kind of movement in addition to staring into space. Movements may include blinking, chewing, or hand gestures. A complex absence seizure can last up to 20 seconds. common in children ages 4 to 14

Secondarily Generalized Seizures

These seizures are called secondary generalized because they start in one area and spread to both sides of the brain. They usually last 1 to 3 minutes, but it may take a lot longer for a person to recover. A secondary tonic clonic seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes is a medical emergency.

Atypical Absence Seizure

The person will stare (as they would in any absence seizure) but often is somewhat responsive. Eye blinking or slight jerking movements of the lips may occur Unlike other absence seizures, these seizures usually cannot be produced by rapid breathing. These seizures usually last 5 to 30 seconds (commonly more than 10), with a gradual beginning and ending. They generally begin before age 6. Most of the children affected have below-average intelligence and other types of seizures that are difficult to control. Many have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Tonic-Clonic Seizures

The tonic-clonic seizure is what most people think of when they think of a convulsive seizure. A person loses consciousness, muscles stiffen, and jerking movements are seen. These types of seizures usually last 1 to 3 minutes and take much longer for a person to recover. A tonic-clonic seizure lasting more than 5 minutes is a medical emergency.

Tonic Seizures

Tone is greatly increased and the body, arms, or legs make sudden stiffening movements. Consciousness is usually preserved. Tonic seizures most often occur during sleep and usually involve all or most of the brain, affecting both sides of the body. If the person is standing when the seizure starts, he or she often will fall. These seizures usually last less than 20 seconds. They are particularly common in people who have the epilepsy syndrome called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, but they can occur in anyone.