Symptom 4: Personality or Behavior Changes – The Unseen Shift
Ganglioglioma can act as a puppeteer, pulling the strings on personality and behavior changes. This might take the form of sudden mood swings, uncharacteristic apathy, or irrational agitation. These alterations often correlate with the tumor’s location, with frontal lobe tumors commonly associated with such changes.
One such change is the sudden onset of mood swings. A normally cheerful person might become easily irritable or depressed. On the flip side, a generally serious individual might suddenly exhibit inappropriate joviality or exhibit out-of-place humor.
Changes in personality can also manifest as newfound apathy or lack of motivation. Tasks or hobbies that the individual once enjoyed might no longer bring joy. This shift can lead to isolation and can be especially detrimental in children and adolescents, who might withdraw from peers or lose interest in schoolwork.
At the other end of the spectrum lies irrational agitation. The individual might become easily frustrated or display aggression with little provocation. It’s crucial to recognize such shifts in behavior, as they might be one of the first noticeable signs of a ganglioglioma. (4)
