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What Are the Symptoms?

A seizure originating in the temporal lobe may be preceded by an aura or warning symptom, such as:

• abnormal sensations (which may include a rising or "funny" feeling in the gut)
• hallucinations (including sights, smells, tastes)
• vivid deja vu or recalled memories/emotions
• a sudden, intense emotion not related to anything happening at the time

During the seizure, a person may experience:

motor or movement disturbances (called automatisms), such as:

• rhythmic muscle contractions on one side of the body or face.
• abnormal mouth behaviors (lip smacking, chewing for no reason, slobbering).
• abnormal head movements (forced turning of the head or eyes).
• repetitive movements (such as picking at clothing).

Other sensory symptoms, such as:

• numbness, tingling, or a feeling that the flesh is crawling — starting in one area and spreading

And autonomic symptoms, including:

• abdominal pain, nausea.
• sweating, flushing, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat.

Depending on whether the victim remains conscious, he or she may not remember having a seizure at all. A postictal phase (period of confusion) frequently follows seizures and can last several minutes.