Diagnosing epilepsy
Getting a diagnosis is not always easy as there is no single test that can diagnose epilepsy. Doctors gather lots of different information to assess the causes of seizures.
If you have had two or more seizures that started in the brain you may be diagnosed with epilepsy.
If there is a possibility that you have epilepsy, NICE recommends that you are referred to a specialist, (a doctor who is trained in diagnosing and treating epilepsy) within two weeks.
Your diagnosis is based on finding out what happened to you before, during and after your seizures. For example, some types of faints can look like epileptic seizures, and often before fainting a person feels cold, clammy and their vision goes blurry. But epileptic seizures happen very suddenly and a person may have no warning that a seizure is about to happen.
Brain scans
In order for a person to be suitable for surgery, it is necessary to confirm that seizures are arising from one part of the brain and that it is safe to remove this part. This requires many tests including MRI brain scans.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An MRI scan will not say for certain whether the person has epilepsy or not. But alongside other information, it might help the specialist to decide what the likely cause of the seizures is.
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
An Electroencephalogram (EEG) records the electrical activity of the brain by picking up the electrical signals from the brain cells. These signals are picked up by electrodes attached to the head and are recorded on paper or on a computer. The recording shows how the brain is working.
Just diagnosed
This leaflet was created with the help of people with epilepsy, and includes their views and experiences. It also includes information on topics people told us they would have found helpful when they were diagnosed with epilepsy.
How epilepsy is diagnosed
Diagnosing epilepsy is not simple. Doctors gather lots of different information to assess the causes of seizures. If you have had two or more seizures that started in the brain you may be diagnosed with epilepsy.
Who will I see about my epilepsy?
If you have just been diagnosed with epilepsy, you may see different people to help you manage your epilepsy. This might include a neurologist, an epilepsy specialist nurse and your GP.
Tests for epilepsy
Blood tests, an Electroencephalogram (EEG) and scans are used to gather information for a diagnosis. Tests on their own cannot confirm or rule out epilepsy.
Recording information about your seizures
If you have a seizure you may not remember what has happened. It can be helpful to have a description of what happened from someone who saw your seizure, to pass on to your GP or specialist.
A diagnosis and mood
Any diagnosis can be a shock, even if you are expecting it. You may feel numb, angry, confused or frightened. Or you may feel relieved – what’s been happening to you has a name and a treatment. Everyone has their own way of reacting to a new situation.