Absence Seizure

Synonyms

Petit mal seizure; Psychomotor seizures

Definition

An absence (usually pronounced with a French accent as “ab-SAWNS”) seizure is a type of generalized seizure caused by a large burst of electrical discharges that begins in broad, bilateral brain regions simultaneously (as opposed to a partial seizure). During an absence seizure, the patient will lose interaction with the environment, stare blankly (“zone out”), and perhaps blink the eyes. There is no true loss of consciousness or motor functions. The seizure is typically short in duration (only several seconds), and patients often resume their ongoing activity without realizing even that they had a seizure (but will be amnestic for anything occurring during the episode). There are no postictal problems after the end of the seizure. Although no first aid is required, the patient should be protected from doing anything dangerous during the episode (e.g., cooking, crossing the street) but the episodes are often so brief that...