Types & Characteristics of Seizures
Seizures do not present themselves the same for everyone. There are multiple different types of seizures that affect the body differently. Some of the commonly known seizures are listed below. (Schachter, 2013)
Sometimes seizures come with a warning sign. Many people with epilepsy experience what is called an "aura"before they are going to have a seizure. An aura may include: seeing spots, blind or dark spots in vision, numbness or tingling, strange sounds/smells, nausea, anxiety, and/or feeling separated from your body. Individuals with epilepsy may experience auras only several seconds before a seizure or up to an hour before a seizure occurs. After a person has a seizure, they may experience pain, confusion, and fatigue. They should take time to rest after having a seizure because it is quite taxing on the body.
Most people with epilepsy can live life with minimal restrictions. Medications are available that help prevent seizures with little or no side-effects. About one-third of people with epilepsy have refractory epilepsy that cannot be controlled with therapies/medications.
- Absence Seizures-characterized by brief lapses of awareness and staring
- Atypical Absence Seizures-absence seizures where the individual is somewhat responsive and has twitchy/jerky movements
- Atonic Seizures-characterized by abrupt loss of muscle tone, also called drop seizures
- Clonic Seizures- rare seizures that involve repeated jerking
- Myoclonic Seizures- characterized by brief "shock-like" jerks, individual is typically awake
- Tonic Seizures- body stiffens for around 20 seconds, often happen while an individual is asleep, a person would fall over if awake
- Tonic-Clonic Seizures- are the type of convulsive seizures that most people think of when the hear the term seizure, also called "grand mal," characterized by loss of consciousness and swift jerking movements, individuals who come out of a tonic-clonic seizure are often confused and drowsy
Sometimes seizures come with a warning sign. Many people with epilepsy experience what is called an "aura"before they are going to have a seizure. An aura may include: seeing spots, blind or dark spots in vision, numbness or tingling, strange sounds/smells, nausea, anxiety, and/or feeling separated from your body. Individuals with epilepsy may experience auras only several seconds before a seizure or up to an hour before a seizure occurs. After a person has a seizure, they may experience pain, confusion, and fatigue. They should take time to rest after having a seizure because it is quite taxing on the body.
Most people with epilepsy can live life with minimal restrictions. Medications are available that help prevent seizures with little or no side-effects. About one-third of people with epilepsy have refractory epilepsy that cannot be controlled with therapies/medications.