Absence Seizures

Core Clinical Features

Consciousness is altered rather than completely lost, with patients experiencing impairment of awareness and responsiveness but remaining upright during attacks, as noted by the European Society of Cardiology 1, 2, 3
Patients do not fall during absence seizures, which is a key distinguishing feature from other seizure types, according to the European Society of Cardiology 1, 2, 3

No loss of consciousness leading to falls, with patients remaining standing throughout the episode, as stated by the European Society of Cardiology 1, 2, 3
Absence of typical syncopal triggers, such as orthostatic stress or emotional stimuli, as noted by the European Society of Cardiology 3
No pallor or sweating, which are common in syncope, as reported by the European Society of Cardiology 3
Post-event confusion is minimal or absent, whereas syncope typically results in immediate clearheadedness, according to the European Society of Cardiology 3