What characterizes grand mal seizures?

Grand mal seizures, also known as tonic-clonic seizures, are characterized by a loss of consciousness accompanied by significant muscle contractions and convulsions. During this type of seizure, the individual experiences two phases: the tonic phase, where the body becomes rigid, and the clonic phase, which involves rhythmic jerking movements. These physical manifestations can lead to the person falling to the ground, which is a defining feature of grand mal seizures.

This seizure type is distinct from other forms, such as absence seizures, which involve brief lapses of consciousness without any convulsions, or partial seizures that may affect only a limited area of the brain and do not typically result in the generalized convulsions seen in grand mal seizures. Severe headaches are not a defining characteristic of grand mal seizures and are more commonly associated with other conditions or types of seizures. The convulsing and falling aspect is a critical point in identifying grand mal seizures, as this dramatic presentation is a hallmark of this seizure type.