Generalized Seizures: Generalized seizures occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain encompasses the entire brain, affecting the whole body. The two most common forms are tonic clonic seizures and absence seizures.

Tonic Clonic a.k.a Grand Mal Seizures: During a tonic clonic seizure, the person will usually emit a short cry and fall to the floor (this cry does not indicate pain). The muscles will stiffen and the body extremities will jerk and twitch (convulse). Bladder control may be lost and consciousness may be regained slowly.

Absence a.k.a. Petit Mal Seizures: During a generalized absence seizure, the person appears to be staring into space and his/her eyes may roll upwards. This kind of seizure is characterized by 5 to 15 second lapses of consciousness and when it has ended, the person will not recall this lapse of consciousness. Generalized absence seizures most often occur in childhood and disappear by adolescence. They are less prevalent in adulthood.




 

Partial Seizures: Partial seizures occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain is limited to one area. The two most common forms are simple partial seizure and complex partial seizures.

Simple Partial Seizures:
In a simple partial seizure, the person may experience a range of strange or unusual sensations, such as sudden jerky movements of one body part, distortions in sight and smell, a sudden sense of fear or anxiety, stomach discomfort, or dizziness. These sensations may also be known as a prodrome or aura. An aura is a simple partial seizure which can occur alone or be followed by a generalized seizure.

Complex Partial:
In a complex partial seizure, the person loses awareness as the seizure begins and appears to be dazed and confused. The person will exhibit meaningless behaviours such as random walking, mumbling, head turning or pulling at clothing. These behaviours cannot be recalled by the person after the seizure.



 

Other Seizure Types

 

Atonic Seizures (Drop Attacks): The legs of a child between 2-5 years of age suddenly collapse under him/her and he/she falls. After 10 seconds to 1 minute, he/she recovers, regains consciousness and can walk again.

Myoclonic:
Sudden brief, massive muscle jerks that may involve the whole body or parts of the body. May cause person to spill what they were holding or fall off a chair.

Infantile Spasms:
Starts between 3 months and 2 years. If a child is sitting up, the head will fall forward and the arms will flex forward. If lying down, the knees will be drawn up, with arms and head flexed forward as if the baby is reaching for support.




 

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Epilepsy Mississauga & Area.