What is characterized by the expression going blank for a few seconds?

Absence seizures are characterized by a brief loss of consciousness, often described as the person having a "blank" expression or staring off into space for a few seconds. During these episodes, there is usually no awareness of surroundings, and the individual may not respond to external stimuli. These seizures typically last for a very short duration, usually around 10 seconds or less, and they are prevalent in childhood.

The hallmark of absence seizures is that they can occur multiple times a day without postictal confusion, making them distinct from other seizure types. Myoclonic seizures, on the other hand, involve sudden, brief jerks or twitches of the muscles but do not cause the blank staring characteristic of absence seizures. Tonic seizures involve stiffening of the muscles and can lead to falls, while clonic seizures are characterized by rhythmic jerking movements. Neither of these types presents with the sudden lapse of consciousness in the same manner as absence seizures.