Types of Seizures and Their Symptoms

Types of Seizures

Seizures can be classified in the following categories —

1. Focal Seizures:

These are caused by electrical activity in one area of the brain.

a. With impaired awareness

Change or loss of consciousness or awareness, like being in a dream

An individual may stare into space, not respond to surroundings, and perform repetitive movements

Often, no memory of the seizure

b. Without impaired awareness

Alters emotions and senses (sight, smell, taste, sound)

No loss of consciousness

Possible sudden anger, joy, sadness, nausea, speech trouble, involuntary jerking, sensory symptoms (like a tingling sensation, dizziness, flashing lights)

Symptoms may resemble other brain or nervous system conditions (e.g., migraine, narcolepsy, mental illness).

2. Generalised Seizures:

Involve all areas of the brain from the start.

a. Absence Seizures

• Seen mostly in children; the person suffering from such seizures may stare into space or have subtle movements (like eye blinking and lip-smacking)

• Last 5-10 seconds and may occur in clusters; there may be a brief loss of awareness.

b. Tonic Seizures

• Causes muscle stiffening, usually in the back, arms, and legs

• May cause loss of consciousness, and the person may fall

c. Atonic Seizures

• Also known as drop seizures, they cause loss of muscle control

• May result in sudden falls or head drops

d. Clonic Seizures

• Repeated jerking movements, usually affecting the neck, face, and arms.

e. Myoclonic Seizures

• Sudden, brief jerks/twitches of arms and legs

• No loss of consciousness

f. Tonic-Clonic Seizures

• Formerly known as grand mal seizures, the most intense type

• Cause sudden loss of consciousness, body stiffening, and shaking

• May cause bladder control loss or tongue biting and can last several minutes

• Can start as focal seizures spreading to involve most or all of the brain.

Symptoms of Seizures

The symptoms of seizures differ based on their type. These symptoms can also vary in intensity, ranging from mild to severe. Some symptoms of seizure are:

• Temporary/Fleeting confusion

• Staring spell

• Uncontrollable jerking of arms and legs

• Loss of awareness/consciousness

• Cognitive/Emotional changes (fear, anxiety, déjà vu)

When to See a Doctor?

You must consult a doctor under the following circumstances —

• If the seizures last more than 5 minutes

• If a person is unable to breathe after the seizure stops

• A second seizure occurs immediately after the first one

• If seizures occur during pregnancy

• If seizures occur in a diabetic individual

• Seizures cause head injury

• Seizures are accompanied by heat exhaustion

• Seizures are accompanied by fever

You must always seek medical attention if you have had a seizure.