What should you know about blank stare seizure?

During an absence seizure, a person may stop speaking, stare, and not respond briefly, then resume without remembering the pause. Other seizures can include staring with lip movements, picking at clothing, unusual sensations, or confusion afterward. Daydreaming, fainting, low blood sugar, medicines, sleep loss, and other conditions can look similar.

A clinician may use the account of a witness, a video if safely recorded, an examination, and tests such as an electroencephalogram. One episode does not establish the cause.

Stay with the person, move nearby hazards away, and speak calmly. Do not restrain them, put anything in their mouth, or give food or drink until they are fully alert. Note what happened before, during, and after the episode, including responsiveness, movements, breathing, injury, and recovery.

Arrange medical review for a first unexplained episode or repeated spells. Until assessed, ask the clinician about safety around driving, swimming, heights, and machinery.

Call emergency services if the episode involves breathing difficulty, serious injury, repeated seizures without recovery, prolonged unresponsiveness, or a first seizure with severe headache, fever, stiff neck, or confusion. Urgent help is also needed when low blood sugar is suspected and the person cannot safely take sugar by mouth.

Ask whether the spell sounds like a seizure, which tests are appropriate, what warning signs require emergency help, and how to keep the person safe while waiting for assessment. Share any alcohol withdrawal, diabetes, infection, or sleep concerns.