Petit mal seizures belong to a category of seizures known as generalized seizures. Those seizures involve electrical disturbances that occur on both sides of the brain. Medical professionals using more modern terminology refer to petit mal seizures as absence seizures. Petit mal seizures begin during childhood, between the ages of four and 12. Only in rare cases do they begin after the age of 20, notes the Epilepsy Foundation of America. Petit mal seizures may prove difficult to diagnose, because the symptoms are subtle, according to "Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry."
Abrupt Halts
In both typical and atypical types of petit mal seizures, symptoms may include an abrupt halt of all conscious activity, according to MedlinePlus. A person experiencing one of these seizures may suddenly stop talking and cease all physical movement. He may appear to not hear anything when someone speaks to him, notes the Epilepsy Foundation of America. After a short period of time--perhaps a few seconds--he suddenly resumes whatever he was doing before the seizure. In an atypical petit mal seizure, the onset of symptoms may occur more slowly, and symptoms might endure for a longer period. During the seizure, loss of muscle tone can occur in the axial muscles (those muscles around the vertebral column), according to the Merck Manual of Healthcare Professionals.
Hand and Facial Movements
Symptoms of petit mal seizures that involve the hands include trembling or fumbling movements. A person's eyelids may flutter, or she may unintentionally stare off into space. Sudden, random twitching of the eyelids and facial muscles may occur, notes the Epilepsy Foundation. During seizures of longer duration, the person may make chewing motions or smack her lips. In atypical petit mal seizures, these symptoms may subside more slowly.
Behavioral and Consciousness Changes
Symptoms of petit mal seizures may include alterations in a person's state of consciousness. He may suddenly lose all awareness of his surroundings. After an atypical petit mal seizure, he may experience a period of confusion and may exhibit unusual or bizarre behavior. In the rare cases of adult-onset petit mal seizures, symptoms may include recurring, rapid-onset episodes of delirium or psychotic behavior, according to "Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry."
No Memory and Variable Frequency
Petit mal seizures end quickly, and the person typically recovers full consciousness but does not remember the seizure. The frequency of petit mal seizures constitutes another symptom or feature of these seizures. They may occur on an occasional basis or in excess of 100 times in a day, notes the Epilepsy Foundation. They last for such a short period of time that they frequently go unnoticed, even when a child has seizures 50 to 100 times a day. This can continue for months before anybody notices and the child's parents seek medical attention.
References
- Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry, North American Edition; Benjamin J. Sadock, M.D.; 2007
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Seizures and Epilepsy
- Merck: Seizure Disorders
- Epilepsy Foundation: Absence Seizures (also called Petit Mal)
- Medline Plus: Petit mal seizure
