Epilepsy is defined by the type of
seizure it may cause.
Types of Epilepsy- Petit-mal seizure:
- A person with petit-mal seizures has abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes short episodes of staring and loss of awareness.
- The most common type of seizure in children between the ages of 6 and 12 years
- Grand-mal seizure:
- Psychomotor seizure:
- Simple partial seizures:
- These are the most common type of seizure seen in people with epilepsy.
- The seizure is limited to one area of the brain.
- The person remains conscious during the seizure.
- The person appears anxious during the seizure.
- The person may make repetitive movements that are confined to a single area of the body, such as the thumb or the big toe.
- Simple partial seizures can spread within the brain, leading to a grand-mal seizure.
- Complex partial seizures:
- The seizure occurs in the frontal lobe or the temporal lobe of the brain.
- The person has decreased awareness of himself and his surroundings.
- In most cases, the person will not respond.
- In some cases, they respond only to very simple commands.
- Commonly, the person displays automatisms, which are involuntary actions or vocalizations. Examples of automatisms include moaning, lip-smacking, chewing motions, or unusual speech.
