Epilepsy Vs. ADD in Children
Absence seizures may also be referred to as petit mal seizures. In some cases absence seizures may be misdiagnosed as the inattentive type of ADD. Both conditions may cause the child to appear as if they are daydreaming or blanking out frequently during the day. Either condition may result in learning difficulties.
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Absence Seizure Features
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Absence seizures occur when the brain's electrical activity is disrupted momentarily. Absence seizures typically last only a few seconds. Children with absence seizures may stare blankly. Their legs or arms may stiffen just a little. When the seizure is over, the child resumes whatever activity he was doing before without realizing that a seizure has occurred at all. Parents may think that their children are daydreaming during an absence seizure.
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ADHD Inattentive Features
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Children with the inattentive form of ADD have difficulty sustaining attention for long periods of time. They may appear to daydream frequently. Children with inattentive ADD may seem to ignore others who are talking to them and may frequently fail to complete schoolwork. Also, they may lose belongings and be forgetful.
Time Frame
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Absence seizures usually occur in children aged four and older. Absence seizures may occur a few times per day or even hundreds of times each day. According to the Mayo Clinic, children often outgrow absence seizures before adulthood.
ADD typically becomes apparent when a child enters school; however, parents have already noticed symptoms before formal schooling begins. The type of ADD most often confused with absence seizures is the inattentive type of ADD.
Diagnosis
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Absence seizures can be diagnosed using EEG testing which measures brain waves. A neurologist should diagnosis absence seizures.
ADD is more complicated to diagnose because a test does not exist to diagnose it. A diagnosis of ADD is based on a description of symptoms. ADD can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a pediatrician or a neurologist.
Treatments
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Absence seizures are treated with antiseizure medications. At first, it may take some time to find the right medication and the right dosage to effectively control the seizures. Commonly used antiseizure medications include Zarontin, Depakene and Lamictal.
ADD is treated with stimulant, nonstimulant and antidepression medications.
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References
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