What Symptoms Are Seen in Most (Three-Quarters) of Epilepsy Patients?
Only about one-quarter of epilepsy patients experience major seizures or “grand mal” seizures. In such cases, patients may suddenly:
- Lose consciousness
- Have stiff limbs
- Shake or jerk their body
- Become rigid
- Foam at the mouth
- Clench their teeth
- Make abnormal sounds
In children especially, symptoms may include:
- Staring blankly for a few seconds
- Suddenly collapsing to the ground without warning
In other cases, the symptoms can be more subtle, such as:
- Twitching or jerking on one side of the body
- Eye or facial twitching
- Being unresponsive or disoriented without fainting
- Suddenly chewing or moving the mouth as if chewing
- Making movements like buttoning a shirt
- Running out of the house unexpectedly
Some may also experience:
- Burning, tingling, or pain in one part of the body
- Intense fear or panic
- A sensation of being in a strange or unfamiliar place
- Hallucinations—seeing or hearing things that are not real
These symptoms can be physical, emotional, or psychological, and awareness of them is very important.
In Summary:
If someone suddenly shows changes in their thoughts, sensations, awareness, or behavior—and then returns to normal after a short time—this could be a symptom of epilepsy. Therefore, immediate consultation with a neurologist is essential if such symptoms appear.