Types of Seizures: What Makes Them Different

Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, is using National Epilepsy Week (February 10–16) to raise awareness about the different types of seizures and why understanding them is critical for early recognition, safety, and proper treatment.

While epilepsy affects millions of people around the world, seizures can vary significantly in severity, appearance, and duration, making them difficult to recognise.

Many people think a seizure always means shaking or passing out, but that is just one kind of seizure. Some are so mild that people do not notice them, and some last only a few seconds. Knowing the different types can help families, caregivers, teachers, and communities respond appropriately during a seizure.

What Is a Seizure?

A seizure happens when there is unusual electrical activity in the brain. This can briefly change a person’s movement, awareness, behaviour, senses, or emotions. Having a seizure does not always mean someone has epilepsy. Seizures can also be caused by fever, infection, head injury, or some medicines.

However, recurring seizures are a sign of epilepsy and require medical evaluation.

The Two Main Categories of Seizures

All seizures fall into two broad groups:

Focal (Partial) Seizures

These begin in one specific area of the brain. A person may remain aware, or awareness may be impaired.

Common signs include:

Unusual sensations or smells.
Sudden emotional changes.
Jerking movements in one limb.
Staring or confusion.
Repetitive behaviours such as lip-smacking.

Focal seizures can sometimes progress into generalised seizures.

Generalised Seizures

These seizures affect both sides of the brain and often cause more obvious physical symptoms.

Types include:

Tonic-Clonic Seizures: These seizures were once called “grand mal” seizures. They cause the muscles to stiffen, then jerk, and the person loses consciousness.

Absence Seizures: These seizures are common in children and cause short staring spells that last just a few seconds.

Myoclonic Seizures: These seizures cause sudden, quick muscle jerks that look like brief twitches.

Atonic Seizures: These are also called “drop attacks”. They cause a sudden loss of muscle tone, which can make a person fall.

Tonic Seizures: These seizures cause the muscles to stiffen suddenly, and the person may fall if standing.

Each type of seizure affects the body in its own way, so it is important to get the correct diagnosis.

Why Understanding Seizure Types Matters

Knowing the difference between seizure types helps people:

Respond safely during an episode.
Recognise when emergency help is needed.
Identify early warning signs.
Support loved ones living with epilepsy.
Reduce stigma and misunderstanding in the community.

When to Call for Emergency Help

Get medical help right away if a seizure lasts more than five minutes, happens again and again without recovery, causes an injury, is the first seizure, occurs during pregnancy, or is followed by trouble breathing. Quick medical care in these cases can prevent serious problems and may save lives.

Common Triggers

People with epilepsy can have different seizure triggers. Some common triggers are not getting enough sleep, high stress, flashing lights for some people, fever or illness, missing medication, and using alcohol or drugs. Knowing and managing your own triggers can help lower the risk of seizures and improve control.

How Seizures are Diagnosed

Doctors may look at your medical history, perform neurological exams, use EEG tests, and conduct brain imaging to determine what kind of seizures you have and if you have epilepsy. This helps them choose the best treatment and suggest lifestyle changes.

Conclusion

National Epilepsy Week reminds us that seizures can look very different, and knowing the differences can change how people respond. By learning the signs and getting medical help when needed, communities can better support people with epilepsy. Affinity Health is committed to providing individuals and families with the information they need to care for their neurological health and safety.