Absence seizure, also known as petit mal seizure, is a type of seizure that typically lasts for a few seconds to half a minute. During an absence seizure, the person may appear to be staring blankly, with no response to stimuli. This type of seizure is usually seen in children, but adults can also experience them. Other synonyms for absence seizure include: - Non-convulsive seizure - Epileptic absence - Silent seizure - Minor epileptic seizure - Collapse seizure While absence seizures are not usually life-threatening, they can affect a person's quality of life and ability to learn. If you or someone you know is experiencing absence seizures, it's important to seek medical attention.