A case of comorbidity between panic disorder and photosensitive epilepsy

Panic disorder and epilepsy usually are distinct entities which require different and specific therapeutic strategies. While anticonvulsant medication is the treatment of choice for seizure disorders, behavioral methods have proven to be effective in panic disorder. We here report a case of comorbidity between panic disorder and photosensitive epilepsy. Special attention is given to the different symptomatic presentations of the disorders, because a thorough knowledge of both disorders may save unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Therefore, the necessity of taking a careful patient's history is underlined. Furthermore the different possible relationship between panic disorder and epilepsy are discussed.