The Unprofessional Guide to early onset absence epilepsy

Chapter 1: What Is early onset absence epilepsy, Really?

Important notice: This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read in this guide.

Okay. Take a breath. You have just been told you or your child has something called early onset absence epilepsy, and if you are like most people, your brain stopped processing information the moment that phrase left the doctor's mouth. "Epilepsy" is a big, heavy word. It opens doors in your imagination that you never wanted to look through. And "absence" — what does that even mean? Absence of what?

Let's start by resetting the picture in your head. You are not picturing what you think you are picturing. You are not picturing someone collapsing on the floor, shaking, with foam at the mouth. You are not picturing an emergency room crisis that requires dramatic rescue. That's the Hollywood version of epilepsy, and it's not what we're talking about here. We are talking about something far more subtle, and — here's the part nobody tells you in the doctor's office — something that is often far less scary once you understand it.

Early onset absence epilepsy is a type of seizure disorder that usually begins in childhood — think preschool and early elementary years, typically between the ages of 2 and 5, give