Silent Seizures: Symptoms, Causes & What to Watch For

Absence seizures, also referred to as silent seizures, or petit mal seizures, are more common in children than adults. When an individual is having a silent seizure, it may appear that he is merely daydreaming for a few seconds.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of silent seizures may include fluttering of the eyelids, smacking of the lips, staring off into space, chewing, hand movements and arm movements.

Causes

• Individuals who have seizures experience an electrical interruption in the communication between the nerve cells and the brain.

Complications

• Children typically outgrow a silent seizure condition. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, "some people continue to have these types of seizures throughout their lives."

Diagnosis

• Diagnoses of silent seizures are generally determined by measuring the brain waves using an electroencephalography.

Treatment

• Silent seizures are typically controlled with oral anti-seizure medication such as ethosuximide, valproic acid or lamotrigine.