| Distinguishing feature | Dissociative seizures | Epileptic seizures |
| Helpful | ||
| Duration over 5 min | Common | Rare |
| Gradual onset | Common | Rare |
| Fluctuating course | Common | Rare |
| Eyes and mouth closed | Common | Rare |
| Resisting eye opening | Common | Very rare |
| Thrashing, violent movements | Common | Rare |
| Side-to-side head movement | Common | Rare |
| Opisthotonus, “arc de cercle” | Occasional | Very rare |
| Visible large bite mark on side of tongue | Rare | Occasional |
| Dislocated shoulder | Rare | Occasional |
| Respiration | Often fast | Ceases |
| Grunting sounds | Occasional | Common |
| Recall for period of unresponsiveness | Common | Very rare |
| Weeping/upset after a seizure | Occasional | Rare‡ |
| Not so helpful | ||
| Stereotyped attacks | Common | Common |
| Attack arising from sleep | Occasional | Common |
| Aura | Common | Common |
| Incontinence of urine or faeces | Occasional | Common |
| Injury* | Common* | Common |
| Report of tongue biting | Occasional | Common |
| Pelvic thrusting | Occasional | Occasional† |
*Especially carpet burns and bruising; †frontal lobe epilepsy; ‡normally sleepy.