Epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose because there are many other conditions that can cause seizures, such as migraines, or panic attacks.


If you have had a seizure, you will be referred to a specialist in epilepsy, normally a neurologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions that affect the nervous system).

It would be useful to talk to anyone who witnessed your seizure and ask them exactly what they saw, as it is likely that you will not be able to remember the seizure. Some people find it useful to bring a friend or relative who has witnessed a seizure along with them to see the specialist, so they can describe what they say.

The epilepsy specialist will also want to know about any associated symptoms, such as if you felt strange before the seizure happened, or if you felt any warning signs. They will also want to know if you are taking any medication, drugs or alcohol.

It is useful to provide as much information as possible so the right treatment plan can be drawn up.

The epilepsy specialist should be able to make a diagnosis of epilepsy from the information that you provide, but they may wish to run further tests.

These tests cannot establish for definite whether you have epilepsy, but they may be able to determine the underlying conditions that could be causing your epilepsy, while also ruling out other conditions.

The two most commonly used tests are outlined below.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An EEG test measures the electrical activity of your brain through electrodes that are placed on your scalp. During the test you may be asked to breathe deeply, or close your eyes, as these actions could reveal unusual brain activity associated with epilepsy.

You may also be asked to look at a flashing light - but the test will immediately be stopped if it looks like the flashing light could trigger a seizure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan

A MRI scan can often detect possible causes such as defects in the structure of your brain, or the presence of a brain tumor.