Generalized tonic-clonic seizures may also be called grand mal or convulsive seizures. They can be scary to watch if you’ve never seen one before. The person loses consciousness, falls, stiffens (the tonic portion of the seizure and jerks (the clonic portion of the seizure). Although a convulsive seizure looks painful, the person is not conscious during the seizure and not aware of what is happening. After the seizure, the person may feel pain from tongue biting, muscle soreness, headache, or bruises from falling. The seizure is often followed by confusion and tiredness, in what is called the postictal period. These seizures usually last less than 3 minutes, but the time can seem like an eternity to others.
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