A classic sign of focal onset impaired awareness (complex focal) seizures is staring with unresponsiveness plus automatic, repetitive movements , such as lip smacking, picking at clothes, or purposeless wandering.

Typical signs and symptoms

In focal onset impaired awareness seizures, the person’s awareness of their surroundings is reduced or lost: they may seem “out of it,” confused, or like they are daydreaming and not responding normally. These episodes usually last from about 30 seconds to a few minutes and the person often does not remember what happened afterward.

Common features include:

  • Blank stare or “zoned out” appearance.
  • No or slow response to questions or touch.
  • Repetitive, automatic movements (automatisms) such as:
    • Chewing or lip smacking.
    • Picking at clothes or fidgeting with the hands.
    • Walking aimlessly or wandering.
  • Confused behavior during and after the event.
  • Possible unusual sensations or feelings just before it starts (an aura), such as a strange smell, rising feeling in the stomach, or dizziness.

If your “which of the following” options include “a blank stare with unresponsiveness and repetitive movements like lip smacking or picking at clothes,” that is the best match for a sign or symptom of focal onset impaired awareness (complex focal) seizures.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.