Clinical distinction of dissociative non-epileptic seizures (“pseudoseizures”) from epileptic seizures
| Dissociative non-epileptic seizures (“pseudoseizures”) | Epileptic seizures | |
| Induced by anger, panic, suggestion | Common | Rare |
| Onset | Often gradual | Usually sudden |
| Duration | Often prolonged, occasionally hours | 1–3 minutes |
| Breathing and colour | Breathing continues, stays pink | Usually apnoeic and cyanosed |
| Retained consciousness | Common | Uncommon |
| Pelvic thrusting, back arching, erratic movements | Common | Rare |
| Fighting, held down, may injure others | Common | Rare |
| Eyes closed | Common | Less common |
| Resisting eye opening and eye contact | Common | Rare |
| Occur only in company | Common | Rare |
| Lateral tongue bite | Rare (minor) | Common |
| Self injury | Rare | Common (occasionally serious) |
| Incontinence | Rare (occasionally with experience) | Common |
| Post-ictal confusion | Rare | Common |