What is focal epilepsy?

According to the Epilepsy Society, focal or partial epilepsy is when a seizure starts in and affects a single part of the brain. The part of the brain that the seizure occurs in is called the "focus" of the seizures.

According to the Epilepsy Society, there are two different types of focal seizures: simple focal seizures and complex focal seizures. Simple focal seizures affect only a small part of the brain, and the person remains conscious and remembers the seizure. Complex focal seizures affect a large hemisphere of the brain. Symptoms of a complex focal seizure include confusion, wandering around, picking up objects for no reason and muttering words without meaning.