| Generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizures | Convulsive PNES | |
| Frequency | Variable | Infrequent PNES are unusual |
| Duration | Usually <2 min excluding postictal phase | Brief PNES are unusual |
| Eyes | Open/half open | Usually closed |
| Motor activity | Generalized tonus followed by generalized clonic activity | Alternating movement or tremor, occasionally thrashing, back arching, side-side head movement; tonic features uncommon |
| Vocalization | Initial, inarticulate, no emotional features | During and after seizure, conveys distress |
| Autonomic signs | Signs of arousal and hyperventilation, flushed, pale | Cyanosis |
| Postictal phase | Drowsy, confused, sleeps, severe headache | Often back to alertness quickly; distress |
| Incontinence of urine | Reported and observed | Commonly reported |
| Sleep events | Commonly reported/observed, events may occur only during sleep | Commonly reported/observed, but not EEG verified; events reported to occur during sleep only highly unusual |
| Injury | Commonly reported/observed | Less commonly reported/observed |
| Burns | Thermal | Friction |
| Tongue/mouth injury | Bite to lateral tongue or inside of cheek, observed injury | Reported bite to tip of tongue |
| Stereotypy | Usual | Common |
