Psychiatric Comorbidities in People With Epilepsy
Marco Mula1, Andres M Kanner1, Nathalie Jetté1
1Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education (MM), St George's University of London and the Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology (AMK), Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and Epilepsy Division, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, FL; Division of Epilepsy and Division of Health Outcomes and Knowledge Translation Research (NJ), Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; NIHR UCL Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre (JWS), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, and Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, United Kingdom; and Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland-SEIN (JWS), Heemstede, the Netherlands.
Individuals with epilepsy face a significantly higher risk of psychiatric disorders, impacting treatment outcomes and overall health. Routine screening for mental health conditions in epilepsy patients is crucial for better management and improved prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Epilepsy is frequently associated with psychiatric comorbidities.
- These comorbidities negatively influence treatment response, morbidity, and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in epilepsy.
- To examine the clinical implications and management strategies for these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent evidence.
- Analysis of epidemiological data and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Patients with epilepsy have a 2-5 times higher risk of psychiatric disorders; 1 in 3 have a lifetime diagnosis.
- Psychiatric comorbidities are linked to poorer treatment response (pharmacological and surgical), increased morbidity, and mortality.
- Validated screening tools exist for mood, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in epilepsy populations.
Conclusions:
- Routine screening for psychiatric disorders is recommended at diagnosis and annually for all epilepsy patients.
- Educating patients and families about mental health risks and implications is essential.
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