Published on: 7/9/2025
What are the symptoms of a clonic seizure?
Clonic seizures cause rhythmic, jerking muscle movements—usually in the arms, legs, or face—and may include loss of awareness or consciousness.
Ready to take the next step?
Get instant answers to all of your health questions
with our AI-powered chat.
Explanation
Clonic seizures are a type of generalized seizure marked by repeated, rhythmic muscle contractions. Common symptoms include:
Jerking movements: Regular, rhythmic shaking or twitching, often in both sides of the body. Muscle contractions: These movements may affect the face, arms, legs, or entire body. Loss of consciousness: Some people lose awareness during the seizure, while others remain partially aware. Breathing changes: Breathing may be irregular during the seizure. Fatigue or confusion afterward: The person may feel sleepy, weak, or disoriented during the recovery period (postictal phase).
Clonic seizures can occur on their own but are more often seen as part of tonic-clonic seizures. A healthcare provider can diagnose the seizure type and recommend appropriate treatment.
(References)
- Fotedar N, Acar A, Hakami S, Praditukrit K, Morris A, Dela Vega M, et al. (2024). Semiology and Neurophysiology of Clonic Seizures. Neurology. Clinical practice, 38585439.
- Theodore WH, Porter RJ, Albert P, Kelley K, Bromfield E, Devinsky O, & Sato S. (1994). The secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Neurology, 8058138.
- Bell WL, Walczak TS, Shin C, & Radtke RA. (1997). Painful generalised clonic and tonic-clonic seizures with .... Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 9416819.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Learn more about symptoms
Was this page helpful?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.