What is an "absence" seizure?

What is an "absence" seizure?

Charles Ribak, Ph.D. (Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, UC Irvine School of Medicine) gives expert video advice on: What should I do if I think I'm going to have an absence seizure?; What should I do if I see someone having an absence seizure? and more...

An absence seizure is a temporary loss of consciousness. It doesn't mean that the person falls down or they are going to have their head drop to one side. It could simply be their eyes moving up into their sockets and rolling up into their sockets. Then, within 5 to 10 seconds, they are totally conscious and aware of what's going on. The absence seizure was previously referred to as the "petee mal" or the "petit mal".