Seizure Types

There are many different types of seizures. People may experience just one type or more than one. The kind of seizure a person has depends on which part and how much of the brain is affected by the electrical disturbance that produces seizures.

Experts divide seizures into generalized seizures and partial seizures.

Generalized seizures happen when massive bursts of electrical energy moves through the whole brain at once, causing loss of consciousness, falls, convulsions (also called tonic clonic seizures) or massive muscle spasms.

Partial seizures happen when the disturbance occurs in just one part of the brain, affecting whatever physical or mental activity that area controls. Sometimes the seizure activity starts in one area of the brain and then spreads.