Partial Seizures

Partial seizures are the most common form of seizures in adults, affecting six out of every ten people with epilepsy. Among children with epilepsy, four out of ten have partial seizures.

Partial seizures may be called simple partial seizures or complex partial seizures. The main difference between them is whether people remain fully aware or experience a change in consciousness during the episode.

Complex Partial Seizures

Complex partial seizures affect a larger area of the brain and they also affect consciousness. During a complex partial seizure, a person cannot interact normally with other people, is not in control of movements, speech, or actions; does not know what he is doing; and cannot remember afterwards what happened during the seizure.

Although a person may appear to be conscious because he stays on his feet, his eyes are open, and he can move about, it will be an altered consciousness, a dreamlike, almost trancelike state. A person may even be able to speak, but the works are unlikely to make sense and he or she will not be able to respond to others in an appropriate way.

Although complex partial seizures can affect any area of the brain, they often take place in one of the brain’s two temporal lobes. Because of this, the condition is sometimes called "temporal lobe epilepsy."

"Psychomotor epilepsy" is another term doctors may use to describe complex partial seizures.

What the Seizure Looks Like

Usually starts with blank stare, followed by chewing, followed by random activity. Person appears unaware of surroundings, may seem dazed and mumble. Unresponsive. Actions are clumsy, not directed. May pick at clothing, pick up objects, and try to take clothes off. May run and appear afraid. May struggle or flail at restraint. One a pattern is established, the same set of actions may occur with each seizure. This seizure lasts a few minutes, but the post-seizure confusion can last substantially longer. There is no memory of what happened during the seizure period.

What To Do

Speak calmly and reassuringly to the person and others. Guide gently away from hazards. Stay with the person until completely aware of environment.

What Not To Do

Do not grab unless sudden danger is threatened such as walking in front of a car. Do not try to restrain. Do not shout. Do not expect verbal instructions to be obeyed.

Simple Partial Seizure

What the Seizure Looks Like

Jerking may begin in one area of the body, arm, leg, or face. The jerking cannot be stopped, but the person stays awake and aware. Jerking may proceed from one area of the body to another, and sometimes spreads to become a convulsive seizure. Partial sensory seizures may not be obvious to an onlooker. The person experiences a distorted environment. May see or hear things that are not there, may feel unexplained fear, sadness, anger, or joy. May have nausea, experience odd smells, and have a generally "funny" feeling in the stomach.

What To Do

No first aid is necessary unless the seizure becomes convulsive then follow Generalized Tonic Clonic seizure first aid. No immediate action is needed other than to reassure and provide emotional support. Watch the time for the length of the seizure and recovery.