What is a common symptom of someone experiencing a generalized seizure?

A common symptom of someone experiencing a generalized seizure is loss of consciousness. Generalized seizures affect both hemispheres of the brain from the onset, leading to a significant disruption in consciousness. During such seizures, individuals typically become unresponsive and may exhibit characteristics such as muscle rigidity, jerking motions, or sustained contraction. Recovery from the loss of consciousness may be accompanied by confusion and disorientation.

The other symptoms, while they can occur in different contexts of neurological events, are not hallmark characteristics of a generalized seizure. Severe headache is not typically associated with seizures but may indicate other conditions such as a migraine or a secondary headache. Unilateral weakness is more indicative of focal seizures or transient ischemic attacks affecting one side of the body. Visual disturbances can occur with certain types of seizures or other neurological issues but are not key indicators of generalized seizures. Thus, loss of consciousness stands out as the definitive symptom in this case.