Seizure Types
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF EPILEPSY?
• Generalized Tonic Clonic also known as Grand Mal
• Absence also known as petit mal
• Complex Partial also known as psychomotor or temporal lobe
• Atonic Seizures also known as drop attacks
• Myoclonic Seizures
• Infantile Spasms
GENERALIZED TONIC CLONIC also known as Grand Mal
What It Looks Like:
Sudden cry, fall, rigidity, followed by muscle jerks, shallow breathing or temporarily suspended breathing, bluish skin, possible loss of bladder control. Usually lasts a couple of minutes.Normal breathing then starts again. There may be some confusion and/or fatigue. Followed by return to full consciousness.
What It Is Not:
• Heart attack
• Stroke
What To Do:
• Look for medical identification
• Protect from nearby hazards
• Loosen tie or shirt collars and take off glasses
• Place folded jacket or a pillow under head
• Turn on side to keep airway clear
• Reassure when consciousness returns
• If single seizure lasted less than 5 minutes ask if hospital evaluation is wanted
• If multiple seizures or if one seizure lasts 5 minutes or more, call an ambulance
• If person is pregnant, injured, or diabetic, call for aid at once
What Not To Do:
• Don't put anything in mouth
• Don't try to hold tongue; it can't be swallowed
• Don't try to give liquids during or just after seizure
• Don't use artificial respiration unless breathing is absent after muscle jerks subside or unless water has been
inhaled
• Don't restrain
ABSENCE also known as petit mal
What It Looks Like
A blank stare, lasting only a few seconds, most common in children. May be accompanied by rapid blinking, some facial twitch. A child having the seizures is unaware of what's going on during the seizure, but quickly returns to full awareness once it has stopped. May result in learning difficulties if not recognized and treated
What It Is Not
• Daydreaming
• Lack of attention
• Deliberate ignoring of adult instructions
What To Do
• No first aid is necessary, but how often these brief episodes happen, and how long they last should be tracked
and reported to your physician.
• If he or she is holding something hot or sharp when the seizure begins, gently remove it to avoid injury.
• After the seizure, gently explore the older person's sense of what just happened and whether it has happened before.
COMPLEX PARTIAL also called psychomotor or temporal lobe
What It Looks Like
Usually starts with blank stare, followed by chewing, followed by random activity. Persons appear unaware of surroundings, may seem dazed and mumble. Unresponsive. Actions clumsy, not directed. May pick at clothing, pick up objects, random "motor activity". May run, or appear afraid. May struggle or flail at restraint. Once pattern established, same set of actions usually occur with each seizure. Lasts a few minutes, but post-seizure confusion can last substantially longer. No memory of what happened during seizure period.
What It Is Not
• Drunkenness
• Intoxication on drugs
• Mental illness
• Disorderly conduct
What To Do
• Speak calmly and reassuringly to patient and others
• Guide gently away from obvious hazards
• Stay with person until completely aware of environment
• Offer to help getting home
What Not To Do
• Don't grab hold unless sudden danger (such as a cliff edge or an approaching car) threatens.
• Don't try to restrain.
• Don't shout.
• Don't expect verbal instructions to be obeyed.
ATONIC SEIZURES also called drop attacks
What It Looks Like
A child or adult suddenly collapses and falls. After 10 seconds to 1 minute he/she recovers, regains consciousness, and can stand and walk again.
What It Is Not
• Clumsiness
• Normal childhood "stage"
• Child: Lack of good walking skills
• Adult: Acute illness, drunkenness.
What To Do
• No first aid needed (unless injured during fall), but the child should be given a thorough medical evaluation.
MYOCLONIC SEIZURES
What It Looks Like
Sudden brief, massive muscle jerks that may involve the whole body or parts of the body. May cause a person to spill what they were holding or fall off a chair.
What It Is Not
• Clumsiness
• Poor coordination
What To Do
• No first aid needed, but should be given a thorough medical evaluation.
INFANTILE SPASMS
What It Looks Like
These are quick, sudden movements that start 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.
What It Is Not
• Normal movements of the baby
• Colic
What To Do
• No first aid, but prompt medical evaluation is needed.
