Staring Spells: When to Seek Evaluation

You're talking to someone and they go silent and seem to stare off into the distance at nothing in particular. They stay that way for a few seconds. But then they snap back to the conversation as if nothing happened. Did the person "zone out" or could it be a sign of something more serious?

What Is a Staring Spell?

A "staring spell" is sometimes also called "spacing out." It's when an adult or child stops responding for a moment. They are not aware of what is happening around them. There are two types of staring spells.

One type is everyday mental drifting. The person might be tired, sick, bored or on medication that makes it hard to focus. They could be daydreaming, lost in thoughts about lunch. This is the most common category.

The other type is more serious. While it looks like the first category from the outside, this staring spell is a possible sign of a seizure. It's like a blip in the brain. The episode could also be related to ADHD or a concussion.

Staring Spells and Seizures

When a staring spell is a seizure, you will likely notice some of these signs:

• Fluttering eyelids
• Lip smacking
• Chewing motions

A staring spell seizure usually happens without warning. The person, whether they are an adult or a child, goes silent, stares off into empty space and then appears to come back to awareness a few moments later with no memory of the episode.

If you think someone is having these episodes, schedule an evaluation with a healthcare provider.

Is It Daydreaming or Something More?

If someone is having a staring spell, how can you know if it is daydreaming or a seizure? You can't know for sure without a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. But there are some things you can look for to help you figure it out.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

• Can you interrupt it? You can usually get the attention of someone who is daydreaming or bored. If someone is having a seizure, they may remain "stuck" for a few moments until they come back to awareness.
• When does it happen? Ordinary mental drifting can be linked to the time of day or something happening in the outside world. For example, late at night or watching a boring show. Seizures can happen anytime. They can even happen in the middle of talking or moving around.
• How does it begin and end? Daydreaming is slower. Seizures come on fast and stop suddenly.
• Are there any physical signs? Watch the person's face. Look for eyelid and mouth movements for no clear reason.

These clues can be helpful, but they don't replace an evaluation by a neurologist.

When to Seek an Evaluation

If staring spells happen often or get worse, seek help from your Baptist Health primary care provider or neurologist. The same is true if you notice other signs of a possible seizure, such as facial movements. If you don't have a Baptist Health neurologist, you can find one on our provider directory.