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Seizure Types

Not all seizures are the same for every, sometime one person can suffer from several different types of seizures whether epileptic, non-epileptic, focal or generalized.

Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy is a brain disorder which includes abnormal brain activity and causes epileptic seizures. Epileptic seizures can be diagnosed through the use of a EEG scan, which has the ability to detect the electrical activity of the brain. This form of seizures can occur at any point of time, and occurs multiple times throughout an individuals life when they are diagnosed with epilepsy.  These seizure typically last around 10 minutes or less. This is the common form of seizure that people think of when hearing the term "seizure". Those with epilepsy have the ability to relieve the severity and frequency of seizures with the use of seizure-medication.              (1)         

Non-Epileptic Seizures

Also known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), are seizures that generally occur due to a traumatic experience in an individuals life. This type of seizure can not always be properly diagnosed, and isn't always able to be treated through the use of standard seizure-medications. Instead those who have PNES often times are given medication or therapy, which have the ability to treat specific triggers (ex. stress-induced, anxiety, or migraines). These seizures have the ability to occur very often, and can range in both intensity and  length of time.                (2)

Focal Seizures

Focal seizures are those that contain abnormal brain activity in one central area of the brain. These are also commonly known as "partial seizures" which isn't meant to diminish the severity of this type of seizure. These are different than non-epileptic seizures or other forms of attacks. This form of seizures has the ability to be treated through different forms of brain stimulation as well as through anti-seizure medications. There are two main forms of focal seizures: those with consciousness/awareness, and those impaired/not aware. The symptoms of those with focal seizures connect back to the part of the brain that is affected or damaged. EEGs are commonly used in order to determine the brain activity at different regions, allowing for the customization of treatment. (3)

Generalized Seizures

Generalized seizures are well, the type of seizure that you think of with convulsion, and tense movements involving the entire body. The key quality of this form of seizures that sets it apart from others is the concept of "motor" meaning the movement or motorization of the body at the time of the seizure (4). When you hear  "grand-mal", or "tonic-clonic" the person is most likely talking about a generalized form of seizure. The person is generally unconscious and unaware of the seizure at the time of occurrence. With these forms of seizures, the entirety of the brain is affected and tracked through EEG scans to locate abnormal brain activity (5).

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