Simple partial seizures are sometimes known as auras, or warnings, as they may often progress to other types of partial seizures, or to a generalised seizure. This is known as a secondarily generalised seizure as the seizure activity has spread, from one part of the brain to affect the whole brain. When someone has a complex partial seizure, their consciousness or awareness is altered. They may behave differently, by fiddling with their clothes or other objects around them, smacking their lips or wandering around in a confused state as if drunk. Occasionally the behaviour may take the form of beginning to undress, or to behave affectionately to strangers.
Generalised seizures occur when the whole of the brain is affected, and consciousness is lost.
Tonic clonic seizures are the seizures of which perhaps most people are aware. In a tonic clonic seizure the young person may stiffen, lose consciousness and fall onto the ground causing the muscles to convulse and jerk rhythmically. A detailed eyewitness account is important at this stage in order to aid the diagnosis, as there may be causes other than epilepsy, for the seizure. In a faint, for example, some people may also experience mild convulsive movements. Tonic seizures occur when there is a general stiffening of the muscles, without the jerking and if standing the young person may fall to the ground with the subsequent risk of injury.