Subliminal Seizures

Usually a seizure occurs when brain nerve cells send messages over a cluster of cells, spreading over the entire brain. Subliminal seizures, also known as partial seizures, only affect a portion of the brain.

Why It Happens

• This type of seizure is called "subliminal" because the person having it is unaware of what's happening. During a partial seizure, the affected person is not aware of the people around him or his own movements. After the seizure, he doesn't remember it's happening.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of subliminal seizures differ from person to person. The signs can include sudden jerking muscle movements, mouth or tongue movements, blank stare, unawareness of surroundings, sudden feelings of joy or rage with no apparent reason, repeating a phrase or word, hallucinations, the sensation of smelling or tasting something bad, and sudden loss of balance.

Treatment

• Subliminal seizures are treated with medication. Carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproate, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin and topiramate are all used to treat partial seizures.

Prevention

• Seizures are sometimes prevented with medication. They can also be prevented by avoiding alcohol.

Complications

• Since people loss control of movements during seizures, there are many potential dangers. Crashing while driving, choking on saliva and falling are all possible complications of subliminal seizures.