Convulsion vs. Fit — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
Convulsion refers to involuntary, rapid muscle contractions, often due to neurological disorders, while a fit is a broader term that can describe any sudden burst of activity, including convulsions.
Difference Between Convulsion and Fit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Convulsions are characterized by rapid, uncontrollable muscle contractions, typically resulting from electrical disturbances in the brain. Whereas fits encompass a wider range of sudden, often intense episodes, which can be physical, emotional, or behavioral in nature.
Convulsions are most commonly associated with epilepsy and other neurological conditions that affect brain function. On the other hand, fits could also refer to non-medical incidents like fits of anger or laughter, highlighting their broader application.
During a convulsion, the individual may experience jerking body movements and loss of consciousness. In contrast, a fit may not necessarily involve loss of consciousness and can manifest as sudden, acute episodes of emotions or physical activity.
Medical intervention for convulsions often includes medications or therapies to manage the underlying neurological condition. Conversely, the management of fits depends on their cause; for example, calming techniques might be used for fits of rage.
The term "convulsion" is used specifically within a medical context to describe a symptom of an underlying health issue. Whereas "fit" is used more colloquially and can describe behaviors or actions outside of a medical framework.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Involuntary muscle contractions
General term for any sudden, intense episode
Associated Conditions
Epilepsy, febrile seizures
Epilepsy, panic attacks, emotional outbursts
Symptoms
Jerking movements, possible loss of consciousness
Varied, depending on type; may include physical or emotional signs
Context
Primarily medical
Can be medical or non-medical
Management
Medication, medical therapy
Depends on type; may involve medical or psychological intervention
Compare with Definitions
Convulsion
Characterized by jerking body movements.
The severe convulsion caused him to drop to the floor.
Fit
A broad term for any sudden and intense occurrence.
He threw a fit when he lost the game.
Convulsion
Sudden, involuntary muscle contractions due to neurological disturbances.
The patient experienced a convulsion during the examination.
Fit
Often used to describe emotional outbursts.
His fit of anger scared everyone in the room.
Convulsion
Can be triggered by high fever in children.
His first convulsion was triggered by a febrile illness.
Fit
May indicate a brief episode of unusual behavior.
The child had a laughing fit that was contagious.
Convulsion
A symptom commonly seen in epilepsy.
She had a convulsion that lasted for two minutes.
Fit
Can be controlled with appropriate interventions.
Breathing exercises helped calm his fits of panic.
Convulsion
Requires immediate medical evaluation.
Any convulsion lasting more than five minutes is an emergency.
Fit
Can refer to physical episodes like seizures.
She had a fit and collapsed while running.
Convulsion
A convulsion is a medical condition where body muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in uncontrolled shaking. Because epileptic seizures typically include convulsions, the term convulsion is sometimes used as a synonym for seizure.
Fit
Of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose
The house was not fit for human habitation
Is the water clean and fit to drink?
Convulsion
An intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction.
Fit
In good health, especially because of regular physical exercise
The measures would ensure a leaner, fitter company
My family keep fit by walking and cycling
Convulsion
An uncontrolled fit, as of laughter; a paroxysm.
Fit
Be of the right shape and size for
Those jeans still fit me
The shoes fitted better after being stretched
Convulsion
Violent turmoil
"The market convulsions of the last few weeks have shaken the world" (Felix Rohatyn).
Fit
Install or fix (something) into place
They fitted smoke alarms to their home
Convulsion
(medicine) An intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction.
Fit
Be compatible or in agreement with; match
The landlord had not seen anyone fitting that description
Convulsion
An uncontrolled fit, as of laughter; a paroxysm.
Fit
Have an epileptic fit
He started fitting uncontrollably
Convulsion
Violent turmoil.
Earthquakes and convulsions of nature shake Earth on a regular basis.
Fit
The particular way in which something, especially a garment or component, fits
The dress was a perfect fit
Convulsion
An unnatural, violent, and unvoluntary contraction of the muscular parts of an animal body.
Fit
A sudden attack of convulsions and/or loss of consciousness, typical of epilepsy and some other medical conditions
The child had frequent fits
Convulsion
Any violent and irregular motion or agitation; a violent shaking; a tumult; a commotion.
Those two massy pillars,With horrible convulsion, to and froHe tugged, he shook, till down they came.
Times of violence and convulsion.
Fit
A sudden short period of uncontrollable coughing, laughter, etc.
Convulsion
A sudden uncontrollable attack;
A paroxysm of giggling
A fit of coughing
Convulsions of laughter
Fit
A section of a poem.
Convulsion
Violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
Fit
To be the proper size and shape for
These shoes fit me.
Convulsion
A violent disturbance;
The convulsions of the stock market
Fit
To cause to be the proper size and shape
The tailor fitted the trousers by shortening them.
Convulsion
A physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval
Fit
To measure for proper size
She fitted me for a new jacket.
Fit
To be appropriate to; suit
Music that fits your mood.
Fit
To be in conformity or agreement with
Observations that fit the theory nicely.
Fit
To make suitable; adapt
Fitted the shelves for large books.
Fit
To make ready; prepare
Specialized training fitted her for the job.
Fit
To equip; outfit
Fit out a ship.
Fit
To provide a place or time for
You can't fit any more toys in the box. The doctor can fit you in today.
Fit
To insert or adjust so as to be properly in place
Fit a handle on a door.
Fit
To be the proper size and shape.
Fit
To be suited; belong
Doesn't fit in with these people.
Fit
To be in harmony; agree
His good mood fit in with the joyful occasion.
Fit
Suited, adapted, or acceptable for a given circumstance or purpose
Not a fit time for flippancy.
Fit
Appropriate; proper
Do as you see fit.
Fit
Physically sound; healthy
Keeps fit with diet and exercise.
Fit
(Biology) Able to survive and produce viable offspring in a particular environment
Fit
The state, quality, or way of being fitted
The proper fit of means to ends.
Fit
The manner in which clothing fits
A jacket with a tight fit.
Fit
The degree of precision with which surfaces are adjusted or adapted to each other in a machine or collection of parts.
Fit
A seizure or convulsion, especially one caused by epilepsy.
Fit
A sudden physical outburst
A fit of coughing.
A fit of laughter.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary physical reaction
A fit of shivering.
A fit of cramps.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary mental experience
A fit of amnesia.
A fit of déjà vu.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion
A fit of jealousy.
Fit
A sudden period of vigorous activity.
Fit
A section of a poem or ballad.
Fit
Suitable, proper.
You have nothing to say about it. I'll do exactly as I see fit.
Fit
Adapted to a purpose or environment.
Survival of the fittest
Fit
In good shape; physically well.
You don't have to be a good climber for Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit.
Fit
Prepared; ready.
Fit
(transitive) To be suitable for.
It fits the purpose.
Fit
(intransitive) To have sufficient space available at some location to be able to be there.
Ten clowns fit in the car, but not a hundred.
A grain of sand will fit in the cave, but an elephant will not.
Fit
(transitive) To conform to in size and shape.
The small shirt doesn't fit me, so I'll buy the medium size.
If I lose a few kilos, the gorgeous wedding dress might fit me.
Fit
(intransitive) To be of the right size and shape
I wanted to borrow my little sister's jeans, but they didn't fit.
That plug fit into the other socket, but it won't go in this one.
Fit
To make conform in size and shape.
I want to fit the drapes to the windows.
Fit
(transitive) To tailor; to change to the appropriate size.
I had a suit fitted by the tailor.
Fit
(transitive) To be in agreement with.
These definitions fit most of the usage.
Fit
(transitive) To adjust.
The regression program fit a line to the data.
Fit
(transitive) To attach, especially when requiring exact positioning or sizing.
Fit
(transitive) To equip or supply.
The chandler will fit us with provisions for a month.
Fit
(transitive) To make ready.
I'm fitting the ship for a summer sail home.
Fit
To be seemly.
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Fit
(intransitive) To be in harmony.
The paint, the fabrics, the rugs all fit.
Fit
To suffer a fit.
Fit
Fight; fought.
Fit
The degree to which something fits.
This shirt is a bad fit.
Since he put on weight, his jeans have been a tight fit.
Fit
Conformity of elements one to another.
It's hard to get a good fit using second-hand parts.
Fit
The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
Fit
(advertising) Measure of how well a particular commercial execution captures the character or values of a brand.
The Wonder Bread advertising research results showed the “White Picket Fence” commercial had strong fit ratings.
Fit
(statistics) Goodness of fit.
Fit
(bridge) The quality of a partnership's combined holding of cards in a suit, particularly of trump.
During the auction, it is often a partnership's goal to find an eight-card major suit fit.
Fit
(archaic) A section of a poem or ballad.
Fit
A seizure or convulsion.
My grandfather died after having a fit.
Fit
(medicine) A sudden and vigorous appearance of a symptom over a short period of time.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion.
He had a laughing fit which lasted more than ten minutes.
She had a fit and threw all of his clothes out through the window.
He threw a fit when his car broke down.
Fit
A sudden burst (of an activity).
Fit
(informal) An outfit, a set of clothing.
How do you like the fit?
Fit
In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a ballad; a passus.
To play some pleasant fit.
Fit
The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of dress to the person of the wearer.
Fit
The coincidence of parts that come in contact.
Fit
A stroke or blow.
Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,That keeps thy body from the bitter fit.
Fit
A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
And when the fit was on him, I did markHow he did shake.
Fit
A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain.
The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously.
Fit
A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.
The fits of the season.
Fit
A darting point; a sudden emission.
A tongue of light, a fit of flame.
Fit
Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature or by art; suited by character, qualitties, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.
That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in.
Fit audience find, though few.
Fit
Prepared; ready.
So fit to shoot, she singled forth amongher foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
Fit
Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste; convenient; meet; becoming; proper.
Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked?
Fit
To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or preparation.
The time is fitted for the duty.
The very situation for which he was peculiarly fitted by nature.
Fit
To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to adapt to a model; to adjust; - said especially of the work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.
The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes.
Fit
To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that is shaped and adjusted to the use required.
No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
Fit
To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be correctly shaped and adjusted to; as, if the coat fits you, put it on.
That's a bountiful answer that fits all questions.
That time best fits the work.
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
Fit
To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to be adapted; as, his coat fits very well.
Fit
A display of bad temper;
He had a fit
She threw a tantrum
He made a scene
Fit
A sudden uncontrollable attack;
A paroxysm of giggling
A fit of coughing
Convulsions of laughter
Fit
The manner in which something fits;
I admired the fit of her coat
Fit
A sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason);
A burst of applause
A fit of housecleaning
Fit
Be agreeable or acceptable to;
This suits my needs
Fit
Be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired;
This piece won't fit into the puzzle
Fit
Satisfy a condition or restriction;
Does this paper meet the requirements for the degree?
Fit
Make fit;
Fit a dress
He fitted other pieces of paper to his cut-out
Fit
Insert or adjust several objects or people;
Can you fit the toy into the box?
This man can't fit himself into our work environment
Fit
Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;
The two stories don't agree in many details
The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
Fit
Conform to some shape or size;
How does this shirt fit?
Fit
Provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose;
The expedition was equipped with proper clothing, food, and other necessities
Fit
Make correspond or harmonize;
Match my sweater
Fit
Meeting adequate standards for a purpose;
A fit subject for discussion
It is fit and proper that you be there
Water fit to drink
Fit for duty
Do as you see fit to
Fit
(usually followed by `to' or `for') on the point of or strongly disposed;
In no fit state to continue
Fit to drop
Laughing fit to burst
She was fit to scream
Primed for a fight
We are set to go at any time
Fit
Physically and mentally sound or healthy;
Felt relaxed and fit after their holiday
Keeps fit with diet and exercise
Common Curiosities
Can a fit include a convulsion?
Yes, a fit can include a convulsion if it refers to a physical episode like a seizure.
How are convulsions treated?
Convulsions are treated based on their underlying cause, often with medications or other therapies.
What should you do if someone is having a convulsion?
Ensure their safety by clearing the area around them and seek medical help if the convulsion is prolonged.
What causes a convulsion?
Convulsions are typically caused by electrical disturbances in the brain, such as from epilepsy or fever.
How do you prevent fits?
Prevention strategies depend on the cause but can include managing stress, avoiding triggers, and adhering to treatment plans for medical conditions.
What can trigger a fit?
Triggers for a fit vary and can include emotional stress, physical strain, or neurological conditions.
What are common signs of a fit?
Signs can include sudden movements, emotional outbursts, or other abrupt changes in behavior.
How long does a convulsion last?
A typical convulsion can last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Is a fit always a medical emergency?
Not always; it depends on the nature and cause of the fit. Medical advice should be sought if the cause is unknown.
Can dehydration cause convulsions?
Severe dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances, potentially triggering convulsions.
Are convulsions and seizures the same?
Yes, in a medical context, convulsions are often another term for seizures, particularly those that cause involuntary muscle contractions.
What are the psychological impacts of frequent fits or convulsions?
They can lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation due to fear of recurrence or stigmatization.
Can emotional stress cause convulsions?
While stress can exacerbate certain types of seizures, typical convulsions are more directly linked to neurological disorders.
Can children have convulsions without a serious condition?
Yes, children can experience febrile convulsions due to high fever without an underlying serious condition.
Are fits of laughter considered medical fits?
No, fits of laughter are typically normal behavioral responses and not considered medical fits unless they are uncontrollable and caused by a neurological condition.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
