Editing Epilepsy (section)

==== Generalized seizures ====
Generalized seizures originate at a specific point within, and quickly spread across both hemispheres through interconnected brain networks. Although the spread is rapid, the onset may appear asymmetric in some cases. These seizures typically impair consciousness from the outset and can take several forms, including:<ref name="Beniczky2025" />

* [[Generalized tonic–clonic seizure|Generalized tonic–clonic seizures]], often with an initial tonic phase followed by clonic jerking;
* [[Absence seizures]], which may present with eye blinking or automatisms;
* Other generalized seizures, a category that includes [[Tonic seizure|tonic]], [[Clonic seizure|clonic]], [[Myoclonus|myoclonic]], [[atonic seizure]]s and epileptic spasms.<ref name="National Clinical Guideline 119_1292">{{cite book |author=National Clinical Guideline Centre |url=http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13635/57784/57784.pdf |title=The Epilepsies: The diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care |date=January 2012 |publisher=National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence |pages=119–129 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216151008/http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13635/57784/57784.pdf |archive-date=16 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Tonic–clonic seizures are among the most recognizable seizure types, typically involving sudden loss of consciousness, stiffening (tonic phase), and rhythmic jerking (clonic phase) of the limbs.<ref name="Engel2008pg2797">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Kq4Zt2KOpcC&pg=PA2797 |title=Epilepsy: a comprehensive textbook |vauthors=Engel J |publisher=Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7817-5777-5 |edition=2nd |location=Philadelphia |page=2797 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520033255/https://books.google.com/books?id=6Kq4Zt2KOpcC&pg=PA2797 |archive-date=20 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> This form of seizure — whether focal to bilateral, generalized, or of unknown onset — is given particular emphasis due to their clinical severity; they are associated with the highest risk of injury, medical complications, and [[sudden unexpected death in epilepsy]] (SUDEP).<ref name="Beniczky2025" />

Myoclonic seizures involve sudden, brief muscle jerks, which may affect specific muscle groups or the whole body.<ref name="Neuro2012">{{cite book |title=Clinical neurology |vauthors=Simon DA, Greenberg MJ, Aminoff RP |publisher=McGraw-Hill Medical |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-07-175905-2 |edition=8th |location=New York |chapter=12}}</ref><ref name="Stephenson1990">{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/25711319 |title=Fits and faints |vauthors=Stephenson JB |date=1990 |publisher=Mac Keith Press |isbn=0-632-02811-4 |location=London |oclc=25711319}}</ref> They can cause falls and injury.<ref name="Neuro2012" /> Absence seizures are characterized by brief lapses in awareness, sometimes accompanied by subtle movements such as blinking or slight head turning.<ref name="Ham2010" /> The person typically recovers immediately afterward without confusion. Atonic seizures involve a sudden loss of muscle tone, often resulting in falls.<ref name="Brad2012" />