Patient's Complete Guide to Fits

According to International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), seizures can be classified as:

Focal onset seizures

These seizures occur in only one part of the brain. If you are aware that you are having a seizure, it is called a focal aware seizure. If you are unaware that you are having a seizure, this is known as a focal impaired awareness seizure.

Generalized onset seizure

These seizures start on both sides of the brain simultaneously. The most common types of generalized onset seizures are:

• Tonic-clonic: tonic symbolizes muscle stiffening and clonic refers to jerky arms and legs during the convulsions. These seizures are also known as grand mai seizures. You may lose consciousness and these seizures can last for a few minutes.
• Absence: these seizures only last for a few seconds in this type of seizure, you blink repeatedly or stare into space.  Some people might mistakenly diagnose them as daydreaming.
• Atonic: these seizures are brief and last for about 15 seconds. They are also called “Drop attacks”. Your muscles may suddenly go limp and your entire body can fall to the ground.

Unknown onset seizures

These are the types of seizures which have no apparent cause. They can occur anytime anywhere.