This document summarizes different types of epileptic seizures. It describes focal seizures, which occur in one area of the brain and may cause altered vision, muscle movements, or other localized symptoms without loss of consciousness. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and cause loss of consciousness. Specific types of generalized seizures described include absence, atonic, tonic-clonic, and myoclonic seizures. The document provides brief details on the symptoms and characteristics of each seizure type.

1. Epilepsy
Simple focal seizure
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Generalized seizure
Absence seizure
The symptoms depend on which area of the brain is
affected. If the abnormal electrical brain function is in
the part of the brain involved with vision (occipital
lobe), your sight may be altered. More often, muscles
are affected. The seizure activity is limited to an
isolated muscle group. For example, it may only
include the fingers, or larger muscles in the arms and
legs. You may also have sweating, nausea, or become
pale. You don’t lose consciousness.
A generalized seizure occurs in both sides of the brain. You
will lose consciousness and be tired after the seizure
(postictal state). Types of generalized seizures include-
Absence seizure, Atonic seizure,Generalized tonic-clonic
seizure (GTC) and Myoclonic seizure
This is also called petit mal seizure. This seizure causes a brief
changed state of consciousness and staring. You will likely
maintain your posture. Your mouth or face may twitch or your
eyes may blink rapidly. The seizure usually lasts no longer
than 30 seconds. When the seizure is over, you may not recall
what just occurred. You may go on with your activities as
though nothing happened. May occur several times a day.
Focal (partial) seizure
A seizure occurs when one or more parts of the brain has a burst of abnormal electrical signals that interrupt normal brain signals.
Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever,
high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion.
The 2 main categories of epileptic seizures are focal (partial) seizure and generalized seizure.
Focal seizures take place when abnormal electrical brain
function occurs in one or more areas of one side of the
brain. Before a focal seizure, you may have an aura, or
signs that a seizure is about to occur. This is more
common with a complex focal seizure. The most common
aura involves feelings, such as deja vu, impending doom,
fear, or euphoria. Or you may have visual changes,
hearing abnormalities, or changes in your sense of smell.
The 2 types of focal seizures include:Simple focal seizure
and Complex focal seizure
This type of seizure often occurs in the area of the brain that
controls emotion and memory function (temporal lobe). You
will likely lose consciousness. This may not mean you pass
out. You may just stop being aware of what's going on
around you. You may look awake, but have a variety of
unusual behaviors. These may range from gagging, lip
smacking, running, screaming, crying, or laughing. You may
be tired or sleepy after the seizure. This is called the
postictal period.
Complex focal seizure
Atonic seizure
This is also called a drop attack. With an atonic seizure, you
have a sudden loss of muscle tone and may fall from a
standing position or suddenly drop your head. During the
seizure, you will be limp and unresponsive.
This is also called grand mal seizure. The classic form of this
kind of seizure has 5 distinct phases. Your body, arms, and
legs will flex (contract), extend (straighten out), and tremor
(shake). This is followed by contraction and relaxation of the
muscles (clonic period) and the postictal period. During the
postictal period, you may be sleepy. You may have problems
with vision or speech, and may have a bad headache,
fatigue, or body aches. Not all of these phases occur in
everyone with this type of seizure.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTC)
Myoclonic seizure
This type of seizure causes quick movements or sudden jerking
of a group of muscles. These seizures tend to occur in clusters.
This means that they may occur several times a day, or for
several days in a row.
The goal of treatment is to control, stop, or
reduce how often seizures occur
Reference - Johns hopkins Medicine