|
| |
- An altered state of consciousness accompanied by sudden changes in the usual
rhythmical electrical activity of the brain. See also, grand mal, petit mal,
Jacksonian, and psychomotor epilepsy.
- A neurologic disorder characterized by periodic motor or sensory seizures or
their equivalents, sometimes accompanied by alterations of consciousness.
The electroencephalogram may show an abnormal brain wave pattern during or
between seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy is of no known organic cause;
epilepsy is termed symptomatic when it is secondary to organic lesions.
Epilepsy is generally divided in to partial or general seizures. In
partial seizures, consciousness may not be impaired. In seizures with
complex symptoms (temporal lobe epilepsy, psychomotor seizures) consciousness
usually is impaired. Among the many forms of generalized seizures are
absences (formerly called petit mal epilepsy) and tonic-clonic seizures
(formerly called grand mal seizures). Status epilepticus refers to
prolongation of a grand mal seizure and its failure to end spontaneously.
- epileptic equivalent - Episodic, sensory, or motor phenomena that a person
with epilepsy may experience instead of convulsive seizures
- Jacksonian epilepsy - A type of grand mal epilepsy that typically begins
with convulsive seizures (clonic) and movements of the thumb and forefinger,
or the angle of the mouth, or the big toe, and spreads to include the rest of
the limb and finally the other side of the body. At this point,
consciousness is usually lost. Named after neurologist J. Hughlings
Jackson (1835 -1911).
- major epilepsy (grand mal) - Gross convulsive seizures with loss of
consciousness and vegetative control.
- minor epilepsy (petit mal) - Nonconvulsive epileptic seizures or
equivalents; may be limited only to momentary lapses of consciousness.
- temporal lobe epilepsy - Also called complex partial seizures.
Usually originating in the temporal lobes, it involves recurrent periodic
disturbances of behavior, during which the patient carries out movements that
are often repetitive and highly organized but semiautomatic in character.
See interictal behavior syndrome.
Source: Edgerton, Jane E. 1994. American Psychiatric Glossary, 7th Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press
| |
|
