Psychiatric Manifestations of Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents

There is a high incidence of psychiatric difficulties in children and adolescents with epilepsy. The severity and range of the problems that exist are broad. In pseudoseizures, which may coexist with true epileptic seizures, the primary problem is psychiatric. Optimal management of children and adolescents with epilepsy involves a team approach, or at least a multidisciplinary effort, with close coordination between neurologist, primary health care provider, mental health professional, psychologist, educational specialist, and other providers (eg, physical therapist), depending on the associated features and particular case. Because many children and adolescents with epilepsy ultimately will be taking psychotropic medication and because of their psychiatric difficulties, a knowledge of interactions between anticonvulsants and psychotropic medication is crucial.