When Dizziness Isn’t “Just Depression”: What Pamela Cook’s Story Teaches Us About Brain Tumor Symptoms

A 65-year-old grandmother from Lincoln, England, began feeling unwell in the fall of 2023. She was dizzy, off balance, and simply “not herself.” At first, she was told it was depression and prescribed antidepressants. Months later, she and her family were given the news no one wants to hear: she had an aggressive brain tumor. She died in March 2024.

Pamela Cook’s story, recently highlighted by Brain Tumour Research and reported by outlets including Yahoo News Canada, is heartbreaking — and unfortunately, not unique. Many people, especially older adults and women, are told their symptoms are “just anxiety,” “just stress,” or “just depression” before a serious neurological condition is finally found.

Pamela Cook smiling outdoors before her brain tumor diagnosis
Pamela Cook, 65, from Lincoln, England, whose brain tumor was initially missed and attributed to depression. (Image via Yahoo News / People, used under fair dealing for news reporting and commentary.)

This page unpacks what we currently know about Pamela’s case, why brain tumors can be misdiagnosed as mental health issues, and — most importantly — how you can advocate for yourself or a loved one when something just doesn’t feel right.


What Happened to Pamela Cook?

According to her family’s account shared with the UK charity Brain Tumour Research and reported by multiple news outlets in 2024, Pamela’s journey unfolded over just a few months:

  1. September 2023 – early symptoms: Pamela began experiencing dizziness, balance problems, and a general sense of feeling unwell. These are common complaints in older adults, but they can also be early signs of brain pathology.
  2. Initial GP visits: Her doctor reportedly attributed the symptoms to depression and prescribed antidepressants. At this stage, no brain scan was performed.
  3. Worsening condition: Over the following weeks and months, Pamela’s symptoms progressed. Families often describe subtle but worrying changes: more frequent falls, confusion, or personality shifts.
  4. Eventual diagnosis: When her condition had deteriorated further, imaging finally revealed a brain tumor. By then, treatment options were limited.
  5. March 2024 – her death: Pamela died surrounded by family, only months after she first told her doctor something was wrong.

“If our concerns had been taken seriously sooner, we can’t know for sure that the outcome would have changed — but we do know we lost precious time.”

— Family statement shared via Brain Tumour Research

No single doctor or decision caused this tragedy. But her story exposes a pattern: neurological symptoms, especially in women and older patients, are sometimes minimized or reframed as purely psychological.


Why Brain Tumors Are Sometimes Misdiagnosed as Anxiety or Depression

Brain tumors are relatively rare, but they’re not that rare. In the UK, about 16,000 people are diagnosed each year with brain or other central nervous system tumors, and worldwide, the incidence has been slowly rising according to large epidemiological studies published up to 2024.

Doctor reviewing brain imaging results on a computer with a patient
Brain tumors can present with very common symptoms — dizziness, mood changes, headaches — which makes early diagnosis challenging without imaging.

Several factors contribute to delayed or missed diagnoses:

  • Symptoms overlap with common conditions. Fatigue, low mood, dizziness, and poor concentration are frequently caused by depression, anxiety, or medication side effects. Doctors see those far more often than brain tumors.
  • Time‑pressured consultations. In many healthcare systems, primary care appointments are short. When symptoms can be explained by a common diagnosis, further investigations may be deferred.
  • Subtle neurological signs. Early brain tumors may not yet cause obvious red flags like seizures or focal weakness. Instead, patients and families notice that “something’s off” — which can be hard to describe.
  • Bias and expectations. Older adults, especially women, report being told they’re “just stressed” or “just depressed.” Research on diagnostic bias suggests that women’s pain and neurological symptoms are more likely to be downplayed.
  • Limited access to imaging. In some regions, it’s difficult to obtain a non‑urgent MRI or CT scan quickly. Clinicians must balance the risks, costs, and benefits of scanning everyone with vague symptoms.

Common Brain Tumor Symptoms: What to Watch For

Brain tumor symptoms depend on tumor type, size, and location. They can develop gradually over months or appear more suddenly. The following list summarizes patterns frequently described in large clinical reviews and by organizations such as the American Cancer Society and NHS:

  • Persistent or worsening headaches — especially if:
    • They are new for you and last for weeks.
    • They are worse in the morning or when lying down.
    • They’re accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
  • Changes in balance or coordination — stumbling, veering to one side, difficulty walking straight, frequent falls.
  • Persistent dizziness — a sense of spinning (vertigo) or feeling “drunk” or unsteady without a clear cause.
  • Vision or speech changes — blurred or double vision, loss of part of the visual field, slurred or slowed speech.
  • Seizures — any new seizure in an adult needs urgent evaluation.
  • Weakness or numbness — especially on one side of the body.
  • Personality or cognitive changes — becoming unusually irritable, apathetic, forgetful, or struggling with tasks that were once easy.
  • Hormonal or appetite changes — depending on tumor location (for example, pituitary tumors).
Infographic style layout with icons representing common brain tumor symptoms
Symptoms often overlap with less serious conditions. The pattern, progression, and combination of symptoms matter.

None of these symptoms automatically mean you have a brain tumor. However, if they are:

  • New or unusual for you,
  • Progressively worsening, or
  • Not responding to usual treatment,

then they should prompt a conversation with a healthcare professional — and sometimes, escalation for imaging.


When Is It Depression — and When Could It Be Something More?

Depression and anxiety are real, serious conditions that deserve treatment. They’re also common in people dealing with early neurological disease — including brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. That means a person can have both depression and an underlying brain disorder.

In practice, it’s not always easy to separate “pure” mental health conditions from neurological problems. But certain features should raise suspicion and may justify a lower threshold for brain imaging:

  • Depression with prominent neurological signs — such as new imbalance, slurred speech, weakness, seizures, or visual changes.
  • Late‑onset depression — first‑ever depression appearing after age 60, particularly with cognitive or physical changes, merits careful evaluation.
  • Rapid progression — symptoms worsening dramatically over weeks, not months or years.
  • Failure to respond to treatment — no improvement after an adequate trial of antidepressants and/or therapy, especially when accompanied by physical symptoms.

“Mood and personality changes are among the most commonly overlooked neurological symptoms. When they occur late in life, clinicians should think broadly — not just psychiatry, but also neurology and general medicine.”

— Neurologist’s perspective summarized from recent geriatric psychiatry reviews (2022–2024)

How to Advocate for Yourself (or a Loved One) at the Doctor’s Office

Many readers will recognize parts of Pamela’s story in their own experiences: feeling dismissed, rushed, or told it’s “just in your head.” While most healthcare professionals genuinely want to help, the reality of overloaded systems means you may need to advocate firmly — but respectfully — for proper evaluation.

Here are practical steps that can make a real difference:

  1. Document symptoms in detail.
    Keep a simple log that includes:
    • When symptoms started and how they’ve changed.
    • Specific examples (e.g., “fell twice in the last week on flat ground”).
    • Any triggers or patterns you’ve noticed.
  2. Bring a trusted person to appointments.
    Family members often notice changes the patient downplays. A partner, adult child, or friend can:
    • Describe behavior or personality changes.
    • Help recall what the doctor says.
    • Support you if you feel intimidated or overwhelmed.
  3. Use clear, specific language.
    Instead of “I feel off,” try:
    • “I am falling several times a week.”
    • “My speech is slurred in the evenings.”
    • “My daughter says I’m mixing up words and forgetting familiar things.”
  4. Ask direct, open‑ended questions.
    Examples:
    • “Could these symptoms indicate a neurological problem?”
    • “Under what circumstances would brain imaging be appropriate?”
    • “What should I look out for that would mean I need urgent help?”
  5. Seek a second opinion if necessary.
    If your concerns are repeatedly dismissed and symptoms persist or worsen, it’s reasonable to:
    • See another GP or primary‑care clinician.
    • Request a referral to a neurologist.
    • Access urgent care or an emergency department if red‑flag symptoms appear.
Older woman with her daughter speaking to a doctor
Bringing a family member to appointments can help ensure concerns are fully heard and remembered later.

“Red Flag” Symptoms: When to Seek Emergency Care

Some symptoms suggest a potentially serious brain problem that should be assessed urgently — ideally the same day. International stroke and neurology guidelines up to 2024 highlight the following as medical emergencies:

  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body.
  • Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
  • Sudden vision loss or double vision.
  • New seizure, convulsion, or unexplained collapse.
  • Severe, “worst-ever” headache — especially with neck stiffness, confusion, or vomiting.
  • Rapidly worsening confusion, agitation, or personality changes.
  • Loss of consciousness, even briefly, with ongoing confusion after.

What Pamela’s Story Can Teach Us — Without Blaming Anyone

Stories like Pamela’s can leave families wondering “What if?” — what if imaging had been ordered sooner, or a second opinion sought earlier? The painful truth is that we often can’t know whether the outcome would have changed. Some brain tumors are so aggressive that, even with early diagnosis, survival may only be extended by months.

But these stories still matter, because they highlight:

  • The need to listen to patients and families when they say something is seriously wrong.
  • The importance of considering neurological causes when older adults develop new mood or behavioral changes.
  • The value of timely imaging when symptoms are persistent, progressive, or atypical.

“I wish we’d pushed harder, earlier. We trusted the system, and by the time we got answers, it was too late. I don’t want other families to go through this.”

— A daughter’s reflection shared with a brain tumor charity, 2024

As an AI trained on medical literature and patient stories, I’ve “seen” many similar scenarios across countries and cultures. While the specifics differ, the themes are familiar: vague symptoms, delayed recognition, and deep grief. What consistently makes a positive difference is informed, empowered patients and families who feel able to ask questions and revisit diagnoses when things don’t add up.


What Does the Latest Research Say About Early Brain Tumor Detection?

Research up to late 2024 offers sobering but useful insights:

  • Delays are common. Studies from the UK, Canada, and Scandinavia show that many adults with brain tumors see a primary‑care doctor several times over months before imaging is ordered.
  • Non‑specific symptoms drive delays. A 2022 analysis in The Lancet Oncology noted that patients who present with headache, cognitive changes, or mood symptoms — rather than seizures or obvious neurological deficits — experience longer diagnostic pathways.
  • Earlier diagnosis helps quality of life, even when cure isn’t possible. Larger reviews suggest that patients diagnosed earlier may have more time to plan, access palliative care, and participate in decisions about their treatment, even if overall survival isn’t dramatically extended.
  • Guidelines emphasize “safety‑netting.” Modern primary‑care guidance (e.g., NICE in the UK) encourages doctors to:
    • Explain what to watch for at home.
    • Arrange follow‑up if symptoms don’t improve.
    • Act quickly if red flags appear.

You can read more from:


Before and After: How Early Recognition Can Change the Journey

Not every story has a different outcome — but early recognition can change how that journey unfolds. Here’s a simplified comparison, based on real‑world patterns:

Older couple reviewing medical documents together at home
Earlier diagnosis doesn’t always mean cure — but it can allow more time for planning, treatment decisions, and meaningful moments with loved ones.
Stage Typical Late Recognition Potential with Earlier Recognition
First symptoms Vague, dismissed as stress or aging; no follow‑up plan. Symptoms documented; clear timeline for review and red‑flag advice.
Diagnostic workup Delayed imaging, often after crisis (fall, seizure, collapse). Imaging arranged when symptoms persist or worsen, before emergency.
Treatment options Limited; patient may be too unwell for surgery or radiotherapy. Wider range of treatments, access to clinical trials more feasible.
Family experience Shock, rushed decisions, sense of lost time. More time for planning, goodbyes, and honoring patient wishes.

A Simple Checklist: If You’re Worried About Symptoms

If you or someone you love has symptoms that could — but probably don’t — indicate a brain tumor, here’s a calm, practical way to move forward:

  1. Write down your concerns.
    One page is enough. Focus on:
    • When symptoms started.
    • How they’re changing.
    • Concrete examples of impact on daily life.
  2. Book a dedicated appointment.
    If possible, avoid squeezing serious concerns into a visit booked for another issue. Tell the receptionist you want to discuss ongoing neurological or mood changes.
  3. Bring another person.
    Ask them to speak up if they’ve noticed changes you might overlook.
  4. Ask about the plan.
    If the doctor does not think imaging is needed immediately, ask:
    • “What would need to happen for you to recommend a scan?”
    • “When should I come back if this doesn’t improve?”
  5. Know your emergency signs.
    Have a low threshold to seek urgent care if new red‑flag symptoms appear.
  6. Consider a second opinion.
    Especially if:
    • Symptoms are getting worse.
    • You feel brushed off or not heard.
    • Your gut instinct says, “This isn’t right.”

Where to Find Support if You’re Facing a Brain Tumor Diagnosis

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate this by yourself. Reputable organizations can provide information, emotional support, and sometimes help with practical issues like benefits and work.

Support group of adults sitting in a circle and talking
Support groups — in person or online — can offer understanding, practical tips, and a place to share the complex emotions of a brain tumor journey.

Honoring Pamela by Listening Better — to Ourselves and Each Other

Pamela Cook’s story is deeply sad, and there are no easy takeaways. Brain tumors will still, at times, be missed or diagnosed late, even with the best intentions and systems in place. But her experience can be a quiet nudge to all of us — patients, families, and clinicians alike — to listen more closely when something feels seriously wrong.

If you’re reading this because you’re worried about symptoms in yourself or someone you love, here’s a gentle next step:

  • Write down what’s been happening.
  • Make an appointment specifically to discuss it.
  • Bring this checklist, and don’t be afraid to ask, “Could this be something neurological?”

You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to seek a second opinion. And you are allowed to trust your sense that something isn’t right — while also remembering that most concerning symptoms do, in fact, turn out to have less serious causes.

Your voice matters in your own healthcare. Use it — kindly, clearly, and persistently when needed. That, more than anything, is how we honor people like Pamela and help prevent other families from wondering, “What if?”