It sounds like you may be referring to "absence seizures" (sometimes called silent seizures) versus "grand mal seizures" (the more intense, full-body shaking type). That's a great question to unpack!
Neither type is universally "worse" — they carry different risks. Grand mal seizures (generalized tonic-clonic seizures) are Show Full Answer
It sounds like you may be referring to "absence seizures" (sometimes called silent seizures) versus "grand mal seizures" (the more intense, full-body shaking type). That's a great question to unpack!
Neither type is universally "worse" — they carry different risks. Grand mal seizures (generalized tonic-clonic seizures) are actually associated with a higher risk of SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and serious injury from falls. Regarding your experience of "dying" during a silent seizure — it's possible you may be describing a near-death experience, loss of consciousness, or a very frightening episode. This is worth discussing urgently with your neurologist, as it could indicate:
- A seizure that lasted longer than usual
- A drop in oxygen levels
- A possible episode of status epilepticus
No seizure experience should be dismissed, especially one this alarming. Please reach out to your healthcare team as soon as possible to describe exactly what happened.
September 15
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