Stress and epilepsy: the value of a benzodiazepine--lorazepam

Twenty four patients with drug resistant epilepsy were given lorazepam and placebo added to their pre-existing drug regime. With lorazepam there was a significant reduction in seizures, especially in those with focal and partial complex attacks. The drug proved effective whether or not the patients regarded stress as a trigger to their seizures, but on the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire there were differences between those with high and low scores.