Symptoms & Types

To understand epilepsy and seizures, familiarize yourself with the major types as well as epilepsy signs
and symptoms. Weve got basic information.

Symptoms
Epilepsy Seizure Symptoms
Learn the warning signs that someone is having a seizure.

Types
Types of Epilepsy
There are several types of epilepsy, each with different causes, symptoms and treatments. Learn about
idiopathic epilepsy, symptomatic epilepsy, and other types.
Types of Seizures
Six types of seizures are most common. Learn the symptoms of myoclonic seizures.
Photosensitive Epilepsy
Learn what photosensitive epilepsy is and how it's treated.
Benign Rolandic Epilepsy
Benign rolandic epilepsy is one form of epilepsy. With this condition, seizures affect the face and
sometimes the body.
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is among the most common forms of epilepsy. One of every 14 people with
epilepsy have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Abdominal Epilepsy
Abdominal epilepsy is an exceptionally rare syndrome of epilepsy that's more likely to occur in children.
With abdominal epilepsy, seizure activity causes abdominal symptoms.
Absence Seizures
Affecting about two of every 1,000 people, absence (formerly called petit mal) seizures are caused by
abnormal and intense electrical activity in the brain.
Temporal Lobe Seizures

Temporal lobe, or psychomotor, seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in an area of the brain
known as the temporal lobe. This abnormal activity results in temporary changes in movement, sensation,
or autonomic function (such as heart rate and salivation).
Temporal Lobe Seizures
Learn what photosensitive epilepsy is and how it's treated.

Epilepsy in Women
Epilepsy and Women
More than one million women of child-bearing age in the U.S. have a seizure disorder. Not only do they
have to cope with seizures, they must also deal with the impact the disorder can have on their
reproductive health.
Women, Pregnancy, and Epilepsy
Fortunately, most women with epilepsy give birth to normal, healthy babies, if you take precautions, your
chance of having a healthy child is greater than 90%.
Birth Control for Women With Epilepsy
If you are a woman who has epilepsy, there are some important things you should know before using
birth control or planning a pregnancy.
New Moms With Epilepsy
Now that you've had your baby, you probably have a number of concerns and questions. And you may or
may not have to make some lifestyle changes to keep your baby safe and healthy.

Epilepsy in Children and Teens

Epilepsy in Children
Watching your child have his or her first seizure was probably one of the most frightening moments of
your life. Finding out that your child has epilepsy may have been another one.
Epilepsy and Teens
Teenage years are often a time when standing out is the last thing a child wants. A lot of kids feel
painfully awkward, and it can be worse for teenagers with epilepsy.
Caring for a Child with Epilepsy
The challenges of parenting are compounded if your child has epilepsy. Not only do you have the normal
concerns about raising a child, but now you have to address emotional concerns both you and your child
may have about living with epilepsy.
Handling Bad Behavior in a Child With Epilepsy

Remember, children with epilepsy should be treated just like any other child whenever possible. Just as
kids with epilepsy can go to school, play sports, and go on dates, they can also get yelled at by their
parents when they step out of line.
Epilepsy and Your Child's School
The best way to prevent misunderstandings about epilepsy at school is to step in early. At the beginning
of the year, go talk to your child's teacher and school nurse.
Your Child, Sports, and Epilepsy
Some children with epilepsy worry that they won't be able to play sports. A lot of parents have the
mistaken impression that sports are too dangerous.

Epilepsy Seizure Types and Symptoms

Based on the type of behavior and brain activity, seizures are divided into two broad categories:
generalized and partial (also called local or focal). Classifying the type of seizure helps doctors
diagnose whether or not a patient has epilepsy.
Generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses from throughout the entire brain,
whereas partial seizures are produced (at least initially) by electrical impulses in a relatively
small part of the brain. The part of the brain generating the seizures is sometimes called the
focus. The most common types of seizures are listed below:
Generalized Seizures
(Produced by the entire brain)

Symptoms

1. "Grand Mal" or Generalized tonic-clonic Unconsciousness, convulsions, muscle rigidity

2. Absence

Brief loss of consciousness

3. Myoclonic

Sporadic (isolated), jerking movements

4. Clonic

Repetitive, jerking movements

5. Tonic

Muscle stiffness, rigidity

6. Atonic

Loss of muscle tone

Generalized Seizures
There are six types of generalized seizures. The most common and dramatic, and therefore
the most well known, is the generalized convulsion, also called thegrand-mal seizure. In this
type of seizure, the patient loses consciousness and usually collapses. The loss of
consciousness is followed by generalized body stiffening (called the "tonic" phase of the

seizure) for 30 to 60 seconds, then by violent jerking (the "clonic" phase) for 30 to 60 seconds,
after which the patient goes into a deep sleep (the "postictal" or after-seizure phase). During
grand-mal seizures, injuries and accidents may occur, such as tongue biting and urinary
incontinence.
Absence seizures cause a short loss of consciousness (just a few seconds) with few or no
symptoms. The patient, most often a child, typically interrupts an activity and stares blankly.
These seizures begin and end abruptly and may occur several times a day. Patients are usually
not aware that they are having a seizure, except that they may be aware of "losing time."
Myoclonic seizures consist of sporadic jerks, usually on both sides of the body. Patients
sometimes describe the jerks as brief electrical shocks. When violent, these seizures may result
in dropping or involuntarily throwing objects.
Clonic seizures are repetitive, rhythmic jerks that involve both sides of the body at the same
time.
Tonic seizures are characterized by stiffening of the muscles.
Atonic seizures consist of a sudden and general loss of muscle tone, particularly in the arms
and legs, which often results in a fall.
Partial Seizures
(Produced by a small area of
the brain)

Symptoms

1. Simple(awareness is
retained)
a. Simple Motor
b. Simple Sensory
c. Simple Psychological

a. Jerking, muscle rigidity, spasms, head-turning

b. Unusual sensations affecting either the vision, hearing, smell
taste, or touch
c. Memory or emotional disturbances

2. Complex
(Impairment of awareness)

Automatisms such as lip smacking, chewing, fidgeting, walking

and other repetitive, involuntary but coordinated movements

3. Partial seizure with

secondary generalization

Symptoms that are initially associated with a preservation of

consciousness that then evolves into a loss of consciousness
and convulsions.