clinical features of a grand mal seizure

Last reviewed 05/2021

Seizures generalised from onset usually begin without warning, but rarely there may be a prodromal malaise and irritability hours or days before an attack.

If the fit starts focally, the patient may experience an aura, which usually lasts only a few seconds and reflects the site of origin. For example, it may consist of sensory phenomena - parietal, motor activity - motor area, versive movements - frontal, or psychic phenomena - temporal area.