Diagnosis

Epilepsy is diagnosed by a physician or nurse practitioner. The healthcare professional will complete a medical history, asking questions about the seizure, such as what happened before, during, and after it. The person will have an electroencephalogram (EEG), which is a test that records brain waves picked up by metal discs (electrodes) placed on the scalp. The brain waves show patterns of brain activity which may help the doctor identify epilepsy and provide more information about any seizures a person may have. (For more information, see our EEG Spark sheet.) CT or MRI scans may also be helpful in some patients to look for differences in brain structure, scars, or other physical conditions that may be causing the seizures. Based on all of the information gathered, the healthcare provider may diagnose the person with epilepsy.