Absence SeizureSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Absence Seizure
An absence seizure is the term for a type of seizure involving staring spells. This type of seizure is a brief (usually less than 15 seconds) change in awareness due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Seizure - petit mal; Seizure - absence; Petit mal seizure; Epilepsy - absence seizure; Non-motor generalized seizure
Seizures result from overactivity in the brain. Absence seizures occur most often in people under age 20, usually in children ages 4 to 12 years.
In some cases, the seizures are triggered by flashing lights or when the person breathes faster and more deeply than usual (hyperventilates).
They may also occur with other types of seizures, such as bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal seizures), twitches or jerks (myoclonus), or sudden loss of muscle strength (atonic seizures).
Most absence seizures last only a few seconds. They often involve staring episodes. The episodes may:
- Occur many times a day
- Occur for weeks to months before being noticed
- Interfere with school and learning
- Be mistaken for lack of attention, daydreaming or other misbehavior
Unexplained difficulties in school and learning difficulties may be the first sign of absence seizures.
During the seizure, the person may:
- Stop walking and start again a few seconds later
- Stop talking in mid-sentence and start again a few seconds later
The person usually does not fall during the seizure.
Right after the seizure, the person is usually:
- Wide awake
- Thinking clearly
- Unaware of the seizure
Specific symptoms of typical absence seizures may include:
- Changes in muscle activity, such as no movement, hand fumbling, fluttering eyelids, lip smacking, chewing
- Changes in alertness (consciousness), such as staring episodes, lack of awareness of surroundings, sudden halt in movement, talking, and other awake activities
Some absence seizures begin slower and last longer. These are called atypical absence seizures. Symptoms are similar to regular absence seizures, but muscle activity changes may be more noticeable.
Treatment for absence seizures includes medicines, changes in lifestyle for adults and children, such as activity and diet, and sometimes surgery. Your provider can tell you more about these options.
Vickie & Jack Farber Institute For Neuroscience - Honickman Center
Michael Sperling is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sperling is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Absence Seizure. He is also highly rated in 25 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Seizures, Epilepsy, Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, Absence Seizure, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Sperling is board certified in Neurology. Dr. Sperling is currently accepting new patients.
University Of Alabama Health Services Foundation PC
Jerzy Szaflarski is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Szaflarski is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Absence Seizure. He is also highly rated in 26 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Seizures, Epilepsy, Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, and Absence Seizure.
Vanderbilt Medical Group- Teleneurology
Jonah Fox is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Fox is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Absence Seizure. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Seizures, Absence Seizure, Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure, and Epilepsy. Dr. Fox is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry & Neurology.
Background: \- The blood-brain barrier separates the brain from the rest of the body. Epilepsy is a neurological disease that causes seizures. It can affect this barrier. Researchers think a contrast agent called mangafodipir might be better able to show areas of the brain that epilepsy affects.
Summary: Neurocysticercosis is a brain disease due to the larval stage of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium). The most common symptoms patient experience from infection inside the substance of the brain (parenchymal disease) are seizures and headaches. When the infection is either inside the fluid pockets inside the brain (ventricular disease) or in the space around the brain (subarachnoid disease) patients...
Published Date: January 27, 2026
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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