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Types of Seizure

I knew nothing. I heard about people who fall down and that was all. I had no idea about epilepsy.

Anja, Germany

The symptoms experienced by a person during a seizure depend on the part of the brain that is affected.

Seizures are classified into two types - generalised and partial seizures and are often referred as 'the epilepsies'.

Click on a term in the list below to see an explanation of what it means.

Partial Seizures

Only part of the brain is affected and consciousness may be altered but not lost.

Generalised Seizures

The whole brain is affected and consciousness is lost. Seizures in this category include:

Tonic-clonic seizures

 

During a tonic-clonic seizure the person may experiences an abrupt loss of consciousness. The tonic phase of the seizure is represented by the whole body going rigid and followed by the clonic phase when the arms and legs jerk. The person experiencing the seizure may fall or lose muscle tone. Incontinence may happen.

Common symptoms include:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Jerking movements

Although the vast majority of seizures do not cause accidents, their existence causes uncertainty and insecurity in people with epilepsy, their family and friends.