Effect of seizure viewing on psychological outcome in persons with epilepsy

Psychiatric disease is the most common co-morbidity seen in persons with epilepsy (PWE), often secondary to psychosocial disturbances due to poor adaptation to the disease. Optimizing epilepsy treatment by targeting both seizure control and addressing psychological issues go a long way in improving psychological outcome among PWE. This study aims to assess the psychological status among PWE using validated questionnaires and to assess the effect of viewing their own seizures on their psychological milieu post-viewing.

A prospective interventional study was conducted enrolling 52 PWE. Their baseline psychological scores were assessed using Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Self Esteem Inventory (SEI), Locus of Control (LOC) and Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31). The scores were reassessed 3 months post seizure viewing and compared with the baseline scores.

Among the 52 patients analyzed, anxiety was present in 20 (38.4%) and depression in 8 (15.3%). The mean HADS-A (anxiety) scores for study population was 9.56 ± 4.12. Gender, income status, risk factors antedating index seizure, type of seizure, temporal semiology, seizure frequency, MRI or EEG characteristics did not have any significant association with baseline psychological scores. There was statistically significant reduction in HADS-A scores from 9.56 ± 4.12 to 8.35 ± 3.85 in the study population after seizure viewing (p = 0.049). We identified patient characteristics that benefit seizure viewing with respect to each of the psychological batteries mentioned earlier.

This study emphasizes that viewing one's own seizures improves the psychological milieu of PWE and improves their quality of life by helping them cope up with their illness more judiciously.