Published on: 7/9/2025
What are the stages of a tonic clonic seizure?
A tonic clonic seizure typically has three stages: the tonic phase (stiffening), the clonic phase (jerking), and the postictal phase (recovery).
Explanation
Tonic clonic seizures, also known as grand mal seizures, usually follow these stages:
Tonic phase: The person’s muscles suddenly stiffen, causing them to lose consciousness and often fall. This phase lasts about 10-20 seconds. Clonic phase: The muscles then begin to jerk rhythmically and rapidly. This phase may last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Postictal phase: After the jerking stops, the person enters a recovery period where they may feel tired, confused, or sleepy. This phase can last minutes to hours.
During the seizure, it’s important to keep the person safe and avoid restraining them. Seek medical help if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if complications occur.
(References)
- 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.
- Niaz FE, Abou-Khalil B, & Fakhoury T. (1999). The generalized tonic-clonic seizure in partial versus .... Epilepsia, 10565598.
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