Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is the most frequent cause of focal seizures with aura and the most common type of focal epilepsy in adults. Seizures start in the temporal lobe, the part of the brain involved in memory and emotions. People may experience altered awareness, unusual sensations, or repetitive movements such as lip-smacking or hand movements.

Childhood Absence Epilepsy
This form of epilepsy usually starts in young children around 4 years of age. It causes brief staring episodes where the child appears to “switch off” for a few seconds before returning to normal activity. Although the seizures don't have a lasting effect on intelligence or other brain functions, children with absence epilepsy frequently have so many seizures that it interferes with school and other normal activities.

Frontal Lobe Epilepsy
In this type, seizures start in the frontal lobes of the brain. Seizures are often brief and may involve unusual movements, sudden changes in behavior, or episodes that occur during sleep.

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
This type usually begins in adolescence. It often causes sudden jerking movements of the arms (myoclonic jerks), particularly soon after waking. Some people may also have generalized Tonic–Clonic seizures or Absence seizures.

Benign Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes
A common childhood epilepsy (also called Rolandic epilepsy). Seizures often occur during sleep and may involve twitching of the face, drooling, or difficulty speaking. Most children outgrow this type of epilepsy as they get older.

NOTE: When making a diagnosis of epilepsy, your doctor may use one of the following terms: idiopathic, cryptogenic, symptomatic, generalized, focal, or partial. Idiopathic means there is no apparent cause. Cryptogenic means there is a likely cause, but it has not been identified. Symptomatic means that a cause has been identified. Generalized means that the seizures (electrical storms) are involving the whole brain at once. Focal or partial means that the electrical storm starts from one area of the brain.