[The occurrence of psychotic disorders in epilepsy--a problem which is not fully known. Case history]

Connections between mental disorders and epilepsy have been perceived for a long period of time. Despite numerous investigations into this problem, it still is not fully understood in regard to the fact that in epilepsy the psychoses are situated at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry and the same phenomena, if presenting the psychotic syndrome, are often described in different terms. The most serious diagnostic as well as therapeutic problems are psychotic disorders which coexist with epileptic seizures. The goal of this paper was to present the case history of a patient, who was diagnosed with a psychotic disorder caused by partial complex seizures. The patient presented was hospitalized many times and several different neuroleptic treatments were used unsuccessfully. During the course of the illness many severe episodes of psycho-motor agitation connected with auto-aggressive acts were observed. It was not until an EEG - Holter test was performed and antiepileptic drugs were added to the treatment which aided in making the correct diagnosis. This enabled the patient to return to his highest level of functioning since the onset of the illness.