What characterizes a grand-mal seizure?

A grand-mal seizure, also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, is characterized by a loss of consciousness. This type of seizure involves the entire brain and results in the individual becoming unresponsive to their surroundings. During the seizure, the person typically experiences both tonic (stiffening of the muscles) and clonic (rhythmic jerking) phases.

Understanding that loss of consciousness is a defining feature helps differentiate grand-mal seizures from other types of seizures, such as absence seizures, where there is typically a brief and temporary state of unresponsiveness without the dramatic manifestations associated with grand-mal seizures. This distinction is important in the context of neurology and seizure identification, as it guides appropriate intervention and treatment options.