Thu Sep 19 08:17:00 UTC 2024: ## University Student’s Brain Tumor Misdiagnosed as “Fresher Syndrome”

**London, UK -** A 24-year-old woman, Lucy Younger, has spoken out about her experience with a brain tumor that was initially misdiagnosed by doctors as “fresher syndrome” and anxiety due to excessive drinking.

Younger, a student at Goldsmiths, University of London, began experiencing strange symptoms like zoning out, déjà vu, and hallucinations shortly after starting her English degree in 2018. Despite reducing her alcohol intake and seeking medical attention, her symptoms persisted and worsened, evolving to include hallucinations across all senses and severe headaches.

Despite her concerns, doctors attributed her symptoms to anxiety, depression, and even hormonal issues related to PCOS. They dismissed her concerns, stating she was “just being a fresher” and “drinking too much”. Younger felt her concerns were disregarded and she struggled to get the proper diagnosis.

The situation reached a breaking point when Younger started experiencing seizures and loss of consciousness during the pandemic in 2020. After researching her symptoms and experiencing a lack of conviction from medical professionals, Younger confided in her local pharmacist. The pharmacist, recognizing the seriousness of her situation, advocated for her and wrote a letter to her GP urging a CT scan.

The CT scan finally confirmed the diagnosis of a benign brain tumor in July 2020. Younger underwent surgery four months later and was able to return to university to complete her degree.

While she is now living a normal life, she is adjusting to epilepsy and memory loss as a result of the tumor. Younger hopes to raise awareness about the importance of advocating for yourself within the healthcare system.

“If there is something wrong, you need to advocate for yourself,” said Younger. “I caught my brain tumor early. If I hadn’t, there could have been a chance it wouldn’t have been removed and the ending would have been a different scenario.”

Younger’s story highlights the importance of listening to your body and advocating for yourself when experiencing persistent symptoms. She encourages people to remember that a diagnosis is not always straightforward and that seeking a second opinion or advocating for further testing can be crucial.

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