Types And Classification Of Epileptic Seizures

First of all, it is important to correctly define this disease. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article about the types of epilepsy, this disorder is defined as an alteration of the central nervous system (CNS) that is characterized by abnormal functioning of neurons. In an epileptic condition, the person who suffers from it has the cells of the nervous system overexcited and this can cause the following symptoms.

Epilepsy: symptoms in adults

Depending on the type of epileptic seizure, an adult can suffer different types of seizures and symptoms. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, we highlight the following general symptoms:

• Confusion
• Stare
• Muscle movements in the form of spasms
• Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, circular thoughts and fears

Causes of epilepsy

As strange as it may sound, we are all susceptible to suffering an epileptic seizure at some point in our lives. However, to be diagnosed with epilepsy, it is necessary to have suffered these seizures on more than one occasion. The main causes of the appearance of epilepsy are the following:

• Inheritance genetics
• Causes physical : blows to the head, trauma, infectious diseases or prenatal injuries
• Disorders of development : such as autism in children or some intellectual disabilities

There are many ways to conceptualize and classify the epileptic syndrome, since each seizure and each symptom of it can be classified differently. In this article we will use a Epilepsy classification scheme of the Spanish Epilepsy Federation⁽²⁾. This scheme classifies this disease of the nervous system according to the symptoms of epileptic seizures.

Generalized Crises

It affects both hemispheres of the brain and seizures are more difficult to control.

• Tonic-Clonic : This type of crisis is characterized by starting with a tonic phase where the extremities tense, followed by jerks throughout the body, that is, by the clonic phase
• Myoclonic: They are characterized by strong muscle contractions.
• Atonic: Seizures of this nature are characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone
• Generalized absence crises: In this case, the crisis causes memory loss and blackouts. This type of epilepsy is more common in children than in adults.

Partial Crises

In this case, the altered activity is focused on one part of the brain, there is usually no loss of consciousness and its symptoms are more controllable.

• Simple partial seizures: It is characterized by an alteration of muscle movement, vision, hearing, memory and other sensations, the person maintains consciousness.
• Complex partial seizures: This type of partial seizure DOES cause loss of consciousness.
• Partial seizures with secondary generalization

Epilepsy Syndromes

When we talk about epileptic syndrome, we are referring to a pattern of symptoms that goes beyond epileptic seizures. An epileptic syndrome includes the activity of the nervous system, the behavior of the individual before and after seizures, the general psychological state…

• Idiopathic partial epilepsies (without apparent cause) in children
• Generalized idiopathic epilepsies
• Reflex epilepsies
• Epileptic encephalopathies

Infantile Spasms

Finally, this set of symptoms that usually occur between 0 and 3 years is considered an epileptic seizure. The spasms can be in the head or throughout the infant’s body and usually last a few seconds; the symptoms subside over the years. He West syndrome It is usually characterized by the presence of these symptoms.

Very similar to the previous classification, there is another way to classify epilepsy, this time we will use the model proposed by the International League against Epilepsy:

Types of Epilepsy located at a specific point (focal/partial)

• Idiopathic or spontaneous onset: benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.
• symptomatic, of known origin:p. e.g., temporal lobe epilepsies, frontal lobe epilepsies.
• Cryptogenic, of unknown origin.

Generalized Types of Epilepsy

• Idiopathic according to the age of onset: childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
• Cryptogenic in order of age: West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
• Symptomatic:

1. Of non-specific etiology
2. Specific syndromes

Types of Epilepsy of undetermined location

• With both generalized and focal crises
• No unequivocal generalized or focal features

Special syndromes

• Seizures related to the situation: febrile convulsions, isolated seizures or states epilepticus.

As a final comment, at PsychologyFor we recommend that you go to a doctor if you have suffered any type of epileptic seizure or feel identified with any type of epilepsy that we have mentioned. As mentioned at the beginning, this disease needs urgent treatment so that you can lead a stable and happy life.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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