Petit Mal Seizures and the Risk of Unintended Injury
Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 2011/05/29 - Updated: 2026/05/28
Publication Type: Informative
Contents: Synopsis - Definition - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Publications
Synopsis: This information, written from first-hand experience by a researcher and disability care professional with graduate-level academic credentials, covers petit mal seizures - also known as absence seizures - with a particular focus on their potential to cause unintentional self-injury in daily life. The article is useful for caregivers, parents of children with epilepsy, and adults living with the condition, offering a grounded look at how these often-overlooked seizures can disrupt learning, go undiagnosed for months, and create genuine physical safety risks at home. The author draws on direct caregiving experience with a spouse who has epilepsy, alongside established clinical detail about seizure types, symptoms, and the role of medication management in reducing injury risk.
At a Glance
- 1 - Petit mal seizures most commonly occur in children between the ages of 6 and 12, and in school settings they are frequently mistaken for inattention or misbehavior, with learning difficulties sometimes being the first sign parents notice.
- 2 - Atypical absence seizures start more slowly, last longer, and can involve confused or bizarre behavior during and after the episode - and may transition into other seizure types such as atonic or grand mal seizures.
- 3 - Myoclonic petit mal seizures involve sudden muscle jerks or twitches and can be mistaken for a severe tremor, but are distinguished by additional features such as eyelid fluttering and lip movements during the episode.
- Topic Definition: Petit Mal Seizures
Petit mal seizures, now more commonly referred to as absence seizures in clinical practice, are a type of generalized epileptic seizure characterized by brief, sudden interruptions in consciousness that typically last between a few and thirty seconds. During an episode, the affected person usually stops what they are doing and stares blankly, often with subtle movements such as eyelid flickering, lip smacking, or hand fumbling, before returning to normal activity with no memory of the interruption. A related form, myoclonic petit mal seizures, involves brief involuntary muscle jerks or twitches rather than simple staring spells. Both types are caused by abnormal electrical activity across both sides of the brain and are most common in children, though they can persist into or begin in adulthood. Because the episodes are short and involve no falling or convulsing, they are frequently missed or misattributed to daydreaming or inattention, which can delay diagnosis and leave seizure activity unmanaged for extended periods. Treatment typically involves anticonvulsant medications aimed at reducing seizure frequency and minimizing the impact on daily functioning and safety.
Introduction
Petit Mal Seizures: Potential for Self-Injury
A person with epilepsy might experience petit mal seizures as much as hundreds of times in a single day. Petit mal seizures are a form of seizure activity associated with epilepsy that find people experiencing, 'staring spells,' for example. These staring spells are more often referred to as, 'absence seizures,' and last around fifteen seconds or so, involving a disturbance of the person's brain function. The seizures are caused by uncommon electrical activity in the person's brain.
Main Content
Unlike my husband, petit mal seizures often occur in people with epilepsy who are under the age of twenty - usually in children who are between the ages of six and twelve years of age. Absence seizures may be the only form of seizure a person experiences, although they might also occur in conjunction with other forms of seizures. These seizures can include gran mal seizures, atonic seizures - where a person suddenly loses their muscle strength, or something referred to as, 'myoclonus,' which involves jerks or twitches in a person's muscles.
The majority of petit mal seizure activity lasts for a few seconds. Most petit mal seizures do involve absence spells, although myoclonus is a form some people experience as well; my husband among them. A person might stop talking in the middle of a sentence, or stop walking; then start again a few seconds after they stopped. Usually, the person doesn't fall and they are thinking and wide-awake immediately after they experience a petit mal seizure.
A person with epilepsy might experience petit mal seizures as much as hundreds of times in a single day. The seizures may happen for weeks or even months before anyone even notices and can interfere with their lives. Sometimes petit mal seizure activity is mistaken for misbehavior, or a lack of attention. In children, these forms of seizures can interfere with the learning process and a child's ability to function in school. In fact, difficulties with learning in school may be a parent's first indication of their child's petit mal seizure activity.
How long has my husband experienced petit mal seizures? Most likely since the heat stroke he experienced. What is known is the number of times he has harmed himself unintentionally due to the petit mal seizures he experiences. Two days ago, he had a petit mal seizure in the form of myoclonus while wiping off the kitchen counter. He had grabbed the sugar bowl, a crystal one,' while he wiped underneath it. His right arm and hand twitched as it does during a petit mal seizure, the sugar bowl hit the counter and broke, and he ended up cutting his wrist on the crystal. He now has three stitches in his wrist.
How many others who have petit mal seizures have also experienced unintentional self-injuries due to them? There are no numbers tracking these injuries that I am aware of. Tom's doctor at the Veterans Administration, Dr. Salter, has increased his epilepsy medication in the hopes of, 'fine-tuning,' his control over the petit mal seizures he experiences. Doing so would certainly make me feel more comfortable with him handling things such as knives and glass drinking containers.
The symptoms of petit mal seizure activity might include a number of things where muscle activity is concerned. These things include:
- No movement at all
- 'Smacking,' of the person's lips
- Fluttering of the person's eyelids
- Chewing - particularly during longer seizures
- A fumbling of the person's hands, particularly during longer seizures
People who are experiencing petit mal seizures can also have changes in their consciousness. These changes can involve several things such as:
- Unintentional staring episodes
- A Sudden halt in conscious activity
- The person may have no memory of seizure
- A Lack of awareness of their surroundings
Petit mal seizures referred to as,'atypical,' start more slowly and last longer. They can have more noticeable muscle activity involvement than, 'typical,' petit mal seizures and the person usually has no memory at all of the seizure. Atypical petit mal seizures might last from a few seconds to minutes in length and involve a period of time when the person's behavior is confused or bizarre. Atypical petit mal seizures may change into a different form of seizure, such as an atonic seizure, or a gran mal seizure.
When Tom and I first met years ago, the impression that crossed my mind was that the myoclonic petit mal seizures he experiences resemble a sort of, 'super tremor.' A tremor is a type of involuntary shaking movement, usually involving a person's arms and hands; although it can affect any part of a person's body. The difference is that the myoclonic petit mal seizures Tom experiences often involve fluttering of his eyelids, as well as a sort of rubbing of his lips. When his medication level is insufficient, he also experiences absence seizures where he simply stares for a period of several seconds.
When your loved one with epilepsy who experiences myoclonic or absence seizures does have a seizure, be aware of the potential for unintentional self-injuries. While three stitches is not all that big of a deal, it is important to maintain as high a level of medication control over seizure activity as possible to prevent potential injuries.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Petit mal seizures rarely receive the same level of public attention as tonic-clonic seizures, yet for the people who live with them daily - and for the families who care for them - they carry a quiet but persistent burden. The account here is a useful reminder that absence and myoclonic seizures are not merely neurological curiosities; they intersect with everyday hazards in kitchens, workshops, and any environment where a momentary loss of muscle control can have real consequences. The point about injuries going untracked is worth noting - there is no formal surveillance system for minor seizure-related injuries, which means the true scope of the problem is likely underreported. For caregivers and people with epilepsy alike, the practical takeaway is straightforward: medication control matters, environmental awareness matters, and the small precautions taken day to day are the difference between a manageable condition and a preventable injury.
Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has providing care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.