How Do You Describe Petit Mal Seizures?
Although the name for petit mal seizures means “little illness” in French, they can be a huge problem for people–usually children–who suffer from them, and can be dangerous when swimming or engaging in other hazardous activities such as driving. Because they’re not nearly as dramatic as other types of epileptic seizures, they can also be difficult to describe, and therefore to diagnose. Describe the person’s sudden lapse of activity and how long it lasts. He may simply stop talking mid-sentence, or stop moving in the middle of doing something. Notice whether there’s a sudden unfocused blankness in her eyes, especially if there’s also an automatic blinking or facial twitch. Observe how many seizures the person suffers on an average day. Note any uncontrolled movements such as lip smacking, fluttering eyelids, chewing or hand movements. Relate whether he has prolonged confusion or performs automatic, repetitive actions such as eating or moving without awareness. Recount her state of mi
