A Field Guide to Symptoms

Transitory Aura Symptoms

Develop over 5–20 minutes and resolve within 60 minutes.

Visual

• Visual Loss
• Visual Hallucinations
• Visual Illusions

Somatosensory

• Somatosensory Symptoms (Tingling and Numbness)

Speech and Language

• Speech Symptoms
• Language Symptoms

Motor

• Motor Symptoms (Weakness and Paralysis)

Brainstem / Basilar-type

• Auditory Aura Symptoms

Cognitive and Psychological

• Depersonalization and Derealization
• Body Image Disturbances (Alice in Wonderland Syndrome)
• Time Perception Disturbances
• Paramnesias (Déjà Vu and Jamais Vu)
• Forced Reminiscence
• Synaesthesia (Mixing of the Senses)
• Other Disturbances of Higher Brain Functions

Olfactory and Gustatory

• Olfactory Aura Symptoms (Smell)
• Gustatory Aura Symptoms (Taste)

Sleep-related

• Disturbances of Dreaming
• Felt Presences
• Sleepwalking

Persistent Aura Symptoms

Last weeks, months, or years; rare but documented.

Visual

• Visual Snow
• Persistent Visual Loss
• Visual Perseveration (Afterimages and Trails)
• Hypersensitivity to Light and Visual Discomfort
• Impaired Night Vision and Visual Reading Problems
• Other Persistent Visual Symptoms

Auditory

• Persistent Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
• Persistent Auditory Symptoms (Hearing Changes)

Vestibular

• Persistent Vestibular Symptoms (Vertigo and Dizziness)

Cognitive

• Persistent Cognitive Problems
• Persistent Derealization and Depersonalization

Other

• Other Persistent Non-Visual Symptoms