Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
An absence seizure, often referred to as petit mal seizure, is a non-convulsive seizure that is often not recognized as aseizureat all. Absence seizures usually occur in children who haveepilepsy, but adults can have them as well. While absence seizures are not as disruptive or obvious as convulsive seizures, they cause impairment of consciousness and interfere with learning, driving, and other aspects of life.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Absence seizures can go unnoticed. They can occur several times a day and rarely cause disruption, noise, or clearly obvious manifestations. Sometimes, a person may experience them for months before others begin to take notice.
A typical absence seizure manifests as a staring spell that can last between 10 and 30 seconds.
The person experiencing the seizure isusually not aware that it’s happening. Consciousness is impaired, which means they’re not aware of their surroundings or movements. Unlike other seizures, absence seizures do not cause jerking movements or physical convulsions, however.
After the seizure, they will quickly resume awareness and continue what they were doing before it came on.
What Observers WitnessIf you see someone having an absence seizure, it may seem like they’re not paying attention to you. A child having one in a classroom, for example, can appear to be bored or daydreaming.Rapid blinking of the eyes orautomatisms(purposeless movements), such as finger tapping or lip-smacking, may occur as well. Absence seizures are more noticeable if they occur during a physical task or while interacting with someone.
What Observers Witness
If you see someone having an absence seizure, it may seem like they’re not paying attention to you. A child having one in a classroom, for example, can appear to be bored or daydreaming.Rapid blinking of the eyes orautomatisms(purposeless movements), such as finger tapping or lip-smacking, may occur as well. Absence seizures are more noticeable if they occur during a physical task or while interacting with someone.
If you see someone having an absence seizure, it may seem like they’re not paying attention to you. A child having one in a classroom, for example, can appear to be bored or daydreaming.
Rapid blinking of the eyes orautomatisms(purposeless movements), such as finger tapping or lip-smacking, may occur as well. Absence seizures are more noticeable if they occur during a physical task or while interacting with someone.
Most people who experience absence seizures don’t experience other types of seizures. However, some people who have absence seizures may have a family history of epilepsy.
Absence seizures are usually first noticed in children between the ages of 4 and 8, but they can also begin during early adolescence. Parents, teachers, coaches and other adults who are familiar with childhood behavior and habits may recognize the episodes as seizures, rather than just simple “boredom.” A medical evaluation can help confirm the diagnosis so that treatment can be initiated.
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Often,brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)is needed to identify whether there is a lesion in the brain that could be causing the episodes. A temporal lobe lesion, for example, can cause temporal lobe seizures, which may also manifest with repetitive movements and be mistaken for absence seizures.
Anelectroencephalogram (EEG)will show a symmetrical 3 Hz spike and wave pattern. This is described as generalized seizure activity because it involves both sides of the brain, in contrast to focal seizure activity, which involves only one region.
Other Possible ConditionsOther possible conditions that may mimic absence seizures include:Temporal lobe epilepsyBehavioral disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Manifestations of psychological problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia
Other Possible Conditions
Other possible conditions that may mimic absence seizures include:Temporal lobe epilepsyBehavioral disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Manifestations of psychological problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia
Other possible conditions that may mimic absence seizures include:
Absence seizures are treated with specific anti-seizure medications. If convulsive seizures occur along with absence seizures, more than one of these drugs may be necessary.
The medications used to treat absence seizure are:
Lamictal (lamotrigine)Valproic acidZarontin (ethosuximide)
How Epilepsy Is Treated
Lifestyle Management
In addition to treatment, triggers that worsen the seizures or that are known to make them more frequent should be avoided.
Known seizure triggers include:
People with absence seizures are faced with having to manage various daily life and safety concerns. As a family member/caretaker, you can help them address these issues preemptively.
Safety
In general, absence seizures do not cause falls or injuries. However, if they happen while driving, swimming, or riding a bike, the loss of consciousness can cause an accident. Make sure that your loved one only participates in these activities if the seizures are well controlled.
School and Work
Encourage adequate sleep, food, and drink. Skipping meals and skimping on sleep can lead to seizures, which can lead to missed classes and falling behind, for example. Be sure to discuss your child’s condition with teachers and see if your child can borrow notes or slides in order to stay on top of lessons.
Social
Staring spells can cause individuals to miss out on group conversations or to “blank out” during interactions with others.
For a child with absence seizures, it may help to give them examples of how to explain their seizures to friends. Whether your child discusses this with peers is a very individual decision based on the circumstances and the people involved. Try not to push them to talk about it and offer support and guidance if they do want to be open about it.
For someone older, it may help to develop a simple, straightforward way to let people know about the blank spells and to let them know when one has occurred.
It may not always be comfortable or possible to explain the condition in social situations. When a trusted person is present, try to work out ways they can help you catch up on the information you miss.
Coping and Living With Epilepsy
A Word From Verywell
Absence seizures are not usually harmful in an obvious way, but they can cause misunderstandings that can make the condition increasingly difficult. Family members, teachers, coaches, and friends can become angry when a child who has absence seizures seems to be ignoring them or not responding appropriately. It’s a challenge, and your child will benefit from your creating a loving and supportive family and social network. This may take time but is well worth the effort.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Absence seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.Childhood absence epilepsy.Epilepsy Foundation.Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Absence seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.Childhood absence epilepsy.Epilepsy Foundation.Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Absence seizures.Epilepsy Foundation.Childhood absence epilepsy.Epilepsy Foundation.Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Absence seizures.
Epilepsy Foundation.Childhood absence epilepsy.
Epilepsy Foundation.Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
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