Epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical signals in the brain that can periodically disrupt processes that the brain coordinates. The disrupted activity among brain cells can lead to seizures. There are two categories of seizures. Partial seizures involve a small part of the brain. Generalized seizures affect the entire brain and may render the person unconscious. Most people with epilepsy have similar symptoms each time a seizure occurs. More serious generalized seizures may last from one to several minutes.
Simple Partial Seizure
Seizures usually occur while a person is conscious. With a simple partial seizure, he may exhibit jerking movements or stiffening of his arms or legs, according to the University of California San Francisco Children's Hospital. Sensory symptoms may cause tingling or flashing lights. The person may notice changes in the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound. He may have tingling sensations in his arms and legs and experience intense emotions of fear or joy.
Complex Partial Seizure
The person with a complex partial seizure may lose consciousness briefly or awareness of time. Staring spells may be involved. The epileptic may make unnecessary movements, such as chewing, swallowing, twitching or walking in circles, the Mayo Clinic says. The seizures may also cause the person to smack her lips, make noises or play with objects.
Absence Seizure
These generalized seizures may cause a brief loss of consciousness along with staring and subtle body movements.
Myoclonic Seizure
The person who suffers from these generalized seizures may experience sudden jerks or twitches in his arms or legs as if shocked. The movements may only affect one part of the body or the entire body.
Atonic Seizure
These seizures are sometimes referred to as drop attacks. The person can abruptly collapse because the normal muscle movements suddenly become stiff. Injuries are often caused by these seizures because of the sudden falls.
Grand Mal Seizure
The most intense of generalized seizures, grand mal seizures can cause loss of consciousness, a stiffened body and shaking. The loss of consciousness may be accompanied by sudden loss of bladder control. This type of attack accounts for 60 percent of all seizures by epileptics, according to NHS Choices. Grand mal seizures are also called tonic-clonic seizures and are what many people relate to the term epileptic fit.
Auras
Feelings that an epileptic seizure is coming may cause certain auras. These distinctive sensations may include strange smells or tastes, a dreamlike state, a sense of fear or anxiety, or a sense that the body is feeling strange.
