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Tonic Seizure (goes stiff and falls)
What Happens?
• The tone of all muscles will suddenly increase
• The person will appear to stiffen
• If standing the person will fall heavily to the ground.
Clonic Seizure
What Happens?
• All limbs will begin to convulse, the person will not stiffen first
• If standing the person will fall heavily to the floor.
Atonic (goes floppy and falls)
What Happens?
• The tone of all muscles will be suddenly lost (will appear limp)
• The person will fall heavily to the ground
• Recovery may be quick
• Head and facial injuries may occur.
Myoclonic (brief forceful jerks)
What Happens?
• Sudden and short lived muscle flexion movements
• Each may last for only a few seconds
• A series may continue for several hours
• Can involve either: upper/lower/or one side of the body.
Absences
What Happens?
• Brief loss of consciousness
• May be typical (no other symptoms)
• Increase or decrease in muscle tone
• Each may only last a few seconds
• Series can last many hours.
Atypical Absences
What Happens?
Brief loss of consciousness
Atypical (similar to typical, but usually have more pronounced jerking or automatic movements) where there may be localised
Increase or decrease in muscle tone
Each may only last a few seconds
Series can last many hours
The person will stare but may also be able to respond a little.
Many children also have Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Medicine can help prevent atypical absence seizures.
