There are many types of seizure ranging from a brief trance-like state to major convulsive seizures. An international terminology has been devised to classify them.

•  Partial seizures originate in only one localised part of the brain and may be simple partial seizures where consciousness is not lost or complex partial seizures where consciousness is lost or impaired.Partial seizures especially complex partial seizures may develop into a secondarily generalised seizure.

• Seizures vary in nature as well as origin and for example complex partial seizures (sometimes known as temporal lobe epilepsy )may cause disturbed or repetitive behaviour such as plucking at clothing or lip-smacking.

• Some seizures may be preceded by a warning or aura such as a strange taste, smell or sensation. This is in fact a simple partial seizure.

• Generalised seizures affect the whole of the brain and the person becomes unaware of his surroundings.

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• Generalised seizures include:

•  absences,during an absence seizure which often start during childhood a person becomes  unconscious for a short amount of time . They may look blank and stare or their eyelids may flutter

• myoclonic(muscle jerking) seizures are brief but may happen in clusters often on waking up.

•  tonic(stiffening)if the person is standing they often fall without warning usually backward,

• atonic ( or drop attacks), are caused by a loss of muscle tone and the person's muscles suddenly relax so that they beome floppy. They usually fall forward and may injure themselves.

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• tonic/clonicthe dramatic convulsive episode with stiffening followed by rhythmic jerking  Confusion may follow as the jerking subsides. During the seizure they may cry out , they may bite their cheeks or tongue and their breathing may be affected.

• For a more detailed explanation on this and other aspects of epilepsy visit the National Society for Epilepsy Website http://www.epilepsynse.org.uk/pages/info/leaflets/

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