Page "Epilepsy" Paragraph 26

Seizure types are organized firstly according to whether the source of the seizure within the brain is localized ( partial or focal onset seizures ) or distributed ( generalized seizures ).

Partial seizures are further divided on the extent to which awareness is affected.

If it is unaffected, then it is a simple partial seizure ; otherwise it is a complex partial ( psychomotor ) seizure.

A partial seizure may spread within the brain-a process known as secondary generalization.

Generalized seizures are divided according to the effect on the body but all involve loss of consciousness.

These include absence ( petit mal ), myoclonic, clonic, tonic, tonic-clonic ( grand mal ), and atonic seizures.