Absence Seizure: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Absence Seizure?
A neurologist (a brain and nerve doctor) treats absence seizures, brief staring spells that happen most often in children. A pediatrician (children's doctor) often notices them first. An EEG (a test that measures the brain's electrical activity) helps doctors diagnose it. Seizure medicines can control seizures. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are absence seizures?
Absence seizures are a type of seizure caused by too much activity in the brain. They are brief changes in awareness that look like staring spells. Most last only a few seconds and are usually less than 15 seconds long. They are also known as petit mal seizures. Right after one ends, the person is usually wide awake, thinking clearly, and unaware that a seizure happened.
Symptoms
During an absence seizure, a person stares and does not respond to people nearby. The person may:
- Stop walking or stop talking mid-sentence, then start again a few seconds later.
- Flutter the eyelids, smack the lips, or chew.
- Fumble with the hands or make no movement at all.
- Seem unaware of their surroundings.
The person usually does not fall. Spells may happen many times a day. In childhood absence epilepsy they can occur up to 200 times each day. The seizures may be mistaken for daydreaming or not paying attention. School trouble may be the first sign. Atypical absence seizures start slower, last longer, and show more muscle movement.
Causes and who gets it
Seizures happen when brain cells send too many signals at once. Absence seizures tend to run in families, so genes play a part. Childhood absence epilepsy usually starts between ages 3 and 8, and it is more common in girls than in boys. It affects 2 to 8 in 100,000 children under age 15 each year. In most children the seizures stop in the teenage years. Some people keep having them as adults, and some later develop other seizure types. Triggers can bring on a seizure in people who have epilepsy. Known triggers include flashing lights, breathing faster and deeper than usual, and lack of sleep.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor checks the brain and nerves during a physical exam. The main test is an EEG (electroencephalogram), a test that measures the brain's electrical activity. People with absence seizures often show abnormal brain waves during a spell. A head CT or MRI scan may be done to look for the cause. Blood and urine tests can check for other health problems. Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after two or more unprovoked seizures that happen at least 24 hours apart.
Treatment
The most common treatment is antiseizure medicine. Doctors usually start one medicine, because most seizures can be controlled with a single drug. It can take several months to find the right drug and dose. Side effects like feeling tired or dizzy are often worse at first and get better over time. Do not stop the medicine on your own. Stopping too early is a major reason seizures come back. It can even lead to status epilepticus, a long seizure that is potentially life threatening. All medicine changes should be made with a doctor's supervision. If medicine does not work, a high-fat, very low carbohydrate diet called the ketogenic diet can help some children. Surgery or a device that stimulates the brain may help some people. There may be a higher risk of suicidal thoughts or actions with some antiseizure medicines that are also used for mania or bipolar disorder. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) right away.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if a child has staring spells or sudden trouble at school. Call 911 if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or the person does not fully wake up between seizures. Long seizures are potentially life threatening.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can check on staring spells and school problems, help track seizures, and make sure seizure medicines are taken as prescribed. The doctor can also refer you to a neurologist for EEG testing and specialty care.
Common questions
Can children outgrow absence seizures?
In most people with childhood absence epilepsy, the seizures stop in the teenage years. Some people keep having them into adulthood. Some later develop other kinds of seizures, such as jerking movements or convulsions.
What can trigger an absence seizure?
In people with epilepsy, triggers can bring on a seizure. Known triggers include flashing lights, breathing faster and deeper than usual, and lack of sleep. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help.
How long does an absence seizure last?
Most absence seizures last only a few seconds and are usually less than 15 seconds long. Right after one ends, the person is usually wide awake, thinking clearly, and unaware that a seizure happened.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Absence seizure
- MedlinePlus Genetics - Childhood absence epilepsy
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Epilepsy and Seizures
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
