[FreedomFighter]

So I have all these symptoms that basically appear to be psychotic symptoms and so I thought I was going into psychosis or developing schizophrenia or had schizoaffective disorder because I've been dealing with mental health problems for quite some time. Anyways so I went to see my psychiatrist yesterday and she says that my symptoms actually present to seem more like epilepsy or a neurological illness. I looked in a medical textbook and online at epilepsy and neurological problems and my symptoms and basically everything can be explained by having frontal lobe epilepsy with/or a brain tumour. Now I know this is the worst case scenario, that is if I have a malignant brain tumour, but I am so scared. I know a lot about mental health/psychiatry/psychology and treatments regarding mental illness but I know very little in comparison about medical illnesses. My doctor ordered an EEG for me, which hopefully they will call me soon about, but now I want an MRI too to look for any abnormalities. I really just want to get a bunch of tests ASAP to find out what is wrong with me. I'm seeing her again next Wednesday and I'm seeing my general practiser on this Thursday because of other reasons.. I don't know what to do, and the worst case scenario just keeps going through my mind.

[glok]

Hello, FreedomFighter. Perhaps, the focus should be on accepting the challenge of whatever, if anything, turns up?

I wish you well.

[FreedomFighter]

Thanks glok, I'm trying to keep that in mind. I just wish I knew what was going on with me because I am quite scientifically/medically-inclined and thus that is important to means gives me something to hold onto when I am having troubles with my health.

[SnakeCharmer]

The vast majority of seizure disorders are not caused by brain tumors. But if a seizure disorder is found (in the EEG) it's fairly standard to then do a CT or MRI to take a look. This is not because they think you have a brain tumor, it's because it's standard medical procedure to rule it out.

But first they start with the EEG. If your brain wave patterns are normal, it's unlikely they'll move up to imaging tests. You won't really need them. If the brain waves are abnormal or inconclusive, that's the time to ask for the imaging tests.

There are many causes of seizure disorders and sometimes the cause can never be determined. But, for now, just keep remembering that most seizure disorders, including frontal lobe seizures, are not caused by brain tumors. Hope the doctors can quickly determine a diagnosis and that it will be one that is more inconvenient than dangerous. Seizure disorders are no fun, but many times they are easier to treat than psychiatric disorders.

If you have a family member, partner or close friend who can video you while you're experiencing an episode, it might be worth trying. Doctors can tell a lot about what's really going on if they can see a person during an actual episode. Maybe you could ask your psychiatrist or primary doctor if that's something they think would be worthwhile. It's got to be the real deal and not a re-enactment. Experts can tell a lot from tiny details.

In closing, I found this on the Weill/Cornell Medical School site:

Tumors that cause epilepsy are some of the most benign tumors found in the brain. The majority can be cured with surgery. In addition, epilepsy caused by tumors has the highest rate of cure after surgery...

But chances are that even if you do have epilepsy, it's not caused by a brain tumor. Stay brave while you go through the diagnosis process. I wish you the best of luck and you'll be in my thoughts.