What is a key symptom of Grand mal seizures?

A key symptom of Grand mal seizures is loss of consciousness. This type of seizure, also known as a tonic-clonic seizure, typically begins with a loss of awareness and control. During the seizure, the individual may experience a stiffening of the body (tonic phase) followed by rhythmic jerking movements (clonic phase) as well as potential loss of bladder control or tongue biting. The loss of consciousness indicates the severe disruption in brain function that occurs during these episodes, making it a critical identifying characteristic of Grand mal seizures.

Understanding the symptom of loss of consciousness is essential in distinguishing Grand mal seizures from other seizure types, such as absence seizures, which are characterized by brief staring episodes without any significant physical activity or loss of consciousness. The other symptoms listed, while they may occur in different types of seizures or various medical conditions, do not define the Grand mal seizure specifically.