grand mal seizure

Full-body convulsive episode

A grand mal seizure is a type of epileptic episode involving loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions throughout the body.

The person typically collapses, becomes rigid, then convulses rhythmically for one to three minutes.

Grand mal is French for "great illness," distinguishing these severe episodes from petit mal (absence) seizures.

She learned to recognize the warning signs before a grand mal seizure.

Related

jerking · spasm · muscle stiffness · foam · collapse · fall down · tremor · rigid · shaking · ambulance · medical emergency · brain · brain activity · electrical · fall · tongue · muscles · hospital

Opposites
seizure severity/extent

grand mal seizurepartial seizure

Localized brain electrical disturbance

aura

neurological state

grand mal seizureconsciousness

State of sentient awareness

wakefulness · calm · stillness · muscle relaxation · remission

Family

grand, seizure, grandly, grandeur, grandness, grander, grandest, grandee, grandiose

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Rated PG