Archives: Hope for HHH Glossary

Absence seizure

A generalized seizure with abrupt onset and offset of altered awareness which can vary in severity (see specific syndromes). Memory for events during the seizures is usually impaired although there may be some retained awareness particularly for adolescents. Clonic movements of eyelids, head, eyebrows, chin, perioral or other facial parts may occur.

Ambulatory EEG monitoring

A system for recording the electroencephalogram for a prolonged period (typically 18 to 24 hours) in an outpatient; the electrodes are connected to a small cassette tape recorder.

Americans with Disabilities Act

A law that makes discrimination against people with disabilities illegal; the act applies to employment, access to public places, and places of accommodation.

Antiepileptic drug

A medication used to control both convulsive and non-convulsive seizures; sometimes called an anticonvulsant.

Anxiety

Excessive and persistent worry that does not go away and may start to interfere with someone’s ability to complete daily activities.

Atonic seizure

An epileptic seizure characterized by sudden loss of muscle tone; may cause the head to drop suddenly, objects to fall from the hands, or the legs to lose strength, with falling and potential injury; usually not associated with loss of consciousness.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD)

An impairment in the ability to focus or maintain attention.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Ongoing and persistent difficulty with attention, excessive activity levels, and controlling impulsive behavior that interferes with daily activities.

Atypical absence seizure

A staring spell characterized by partial impairment of consciousness; often occurs in children with the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; the EEG shows slow (less than 3 per second) spike-and-wave discharges.

Aura

A warning before a seizure; a simple partial seizure occuring within seconds before a complex partial or secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizure, or it may occur alone; also a warning before a migraine headache.