Is staring blankly a symptom of epilepsy?

An absence seizure, which used to be called a “petit mal”, is where you lose awareness of your surroundings for a short time. They mainly affect children, but can happen at any age. During an absence seizure, a person may: stare blankly into space.

What is a staring spell epilepsy?

An absence seizure is the term for a type of seizure involving staring spells. This type of seizure is a brief (usually less than 15 seconds) disturbance of brain function due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Is staring always a seizure?

Though most staring spells are perfectly normal, sometimes they can signal an absence seizure. Once known as petit-mal (“little sickness”) seizures, absence seizures most commonly affect children between ages 4 and 14, but older kids and even adults can occasionally have them.

How do you know if you have absence seizures from daydreaming?

Tip: To help determine whether the child is experiencing an absence seizure or daydreaming, touch the child on the shoulder. If the child responds, s/he is probably daydreaming.

What an absence seizure looks like?

Typical Absence Seizures The person suddenly stops all activity. It may look like he or she is staring off into space or just has a blank look. The eyes may turn upwards and eyelids flutter. The seizures usually last less than 10 seconds.

Should I worry about absence seizures?

If you think your child may be having absence seizures, talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns right away. Absence seizures may be confused with other types of seizures.

Why are staring spells called staring spells in epilepsy?

A less dramatic form of epilepsy also involves loss of consciousness, but without a fall to the ground or convulsive movements. These attacks are aptly called “staring spells” because the patients stop what they’re doing, lose eye-contact with other people, and appear to stare into space.

Do you have to have a seizure to know you have epilepsy?

Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn’t mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.

How are absence seizures different from staring seizures?

Another point of distinction is that the patient’s movements or behaviors during attacks are different. In absence attacks there might be a brief flutter of the eyelids or a minimal shiver, and that’s all. In fact, absence seizures are more notable for inactivity than for extra movements.

Can a person have both generalized and focal epilepsy?

Just as the name suggests, this is a type of epilepsy where people have both generalized and focal seizures. Sometimes, doctors are sure that a person has epilepsy, but they don’t know whether the seizures are focal or generalized. This can happen if you were alone when you had seizures, so no one can describe what happened.

Is it possible to have staring spells with epilepsy?

Since epilepsy is argued to be a spectrum disorder, it’s very likely that many people who don’t have epilepsy, but have these staring spells, likely suffer from some affliction within the spectrum. Fortunately I’ve never been accused of “faking it”. I think that would be frustrating and hurtful.

Another point of distinction is that the patient’s movements or behaviors during attacks are different. In absence attacks there might be a brief flutter of the eyelids or a minimal shiver, and that’s all. In fact, absence seizures are more notable for inactivity than for extra movements.

How many unprovoked seizures does it take to diagnose epilepsy?

Not all seizures occur due to epilepsy. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person would usually have to have at least two unprovoked seizures for their doctor to diagnose them with epilepsy. An unprovoked seizure is one that happens without a clear cause. Signs of a seizure can be subtle or dramatic.

Why are convulsive seizures called ” staring spells “?

These attacks are more properly termed tonic-clonic seizures. convulsive movements. These attacks are aptly called “staring spells” because the patients stop what they’re doing, lose eye-contact with other people, and appear to stare into space.