Regarding a 34-year-old female presents to her GP due to a number of 'funny-dos'

A 34-year-old female presents to her GP due to a number of 'funny-dos'. She describes a sensation that her surroundings are unreal, 'like a dream'. Following this she has been told that she starts to smack her lips, although she has no recollection of doing this. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Myoclonic seizure
B. Simple partial seizure
C. Complex partial seizure
D. Partial seizure progressing to generalised seizure
E. Absence seizure

Answer: C. Complex partial seizure

Discussion: With simple partial seizures there is no disturbance of consciousness or awareness. Lip smacking is an example of an automatism - an automatic, repetitive act.

Basic Classification Of Epilepsy:

• Two main categories are generalized and partial seizures.
• partial seizures may progress to general seizures 
• other types include: myoclonic, atypical absence, atonic and tonic seizures

Generalized - no focal features, consciousness lost immediately :

 grand mal (tonic-clonic) 

 petit mal (absence seizures) 

 myoclonic: brief, rapid muscle jerks 

 partial seizures progressing to generalised seizures 

Partial - focal features depending on location 

 simple (no disturbance of consciousness or awareness) 

 complex (consciousness is disturbed) 

 temporal lobe → aura, deja vu, jamais vu; motor → Jacksonian