Hi Im Hillary Im 19 and I was wondering if anyone could help me. Ok I have been blanking out lately, or maybe its blacking out. Anyways the last thing I remember doing before all these episodes is staring off into space. I remember staring off into space over the years but I just figured I was daydreaming. My mom also told me that when I was a baby they thought I had a seizure. Well lately its been worse. For instance today I was driving and I had my mom,dad, and sister with me, and I came to a stop sign I had my foot on the break I remember looking over and seeing the cars coming, that had the right a way without a stop sign and they were pretty close, so I was going to wait. Then I started staring off into space, next thing I know my mom yelled Hillary, and I came out of whatever I was in and I looked over and seen the car was about to hit us so I gave it a little gas to get past the car that was about to hit us and we didnt get hit, luckily. The thing is I dont remember switching my foot from the break to the gas and going through the traffic. Ok does anyone know what this is? Is it a seizure or is it something else?

Those are most commonly called "stare-offs". Sometimes relates with them the person will be in a stiff state, possibly salivating, until they come out of the seizure.

I think this is a type of simple partial.

I'd highly suggest to avoid driving if you have these. You can see why.

Having seizures alone and driving is enough of a problem. But if you have this type and there is an accident... it is worse. The state then looks at you worse then a drunk driver.

The other question is, did you notify the state License Dept and your insurer of your seizures? If not, thats something to discuss at the dinner table. The issue on that usually is "Have you been diagnosed?" If you have you are REQUIRED to notify the state when applying for your license in all 50 states to my knowledge.

Now, the loopholes for the question "when was your last seizure" usually depend on the states definition of a seizure. A lot of the states define a seizure as a Grand-mal (loss {or altered state} of consciousness); but not all. So check your states definitions to see if you can squeak out. Also there are other loopholes if seizures occured when medications were adjusted recently in some states.

I was lucky to drive for a few years with all the paperwork I had to deal with. I never had a seizure behind the wheel, but I did have my license suspended two times and still reinstated. The third time it was suspended I didn't bother to get it back. My seizures were increasing at that point.

Hope this can help you keep driving.

--Travis

I would go talk this over wiht your doctor and get a referral to a neurologist for testing. It is too scary when it is happening often and while driving as well. I agree that trying not to drive until you know what is up is best! SO glad you were not hurt.