Epilepsy is one of the most common CNS disorders affecting children, with approximately 5% to 10% of children having a seizure during the first two decades of life and 1% developing epilepsy. Results Behavioral problems were found in 19.1% of children with epilepsy and only in 2.2 % of children without epilepsy (PR 8.8; 95%CI 1.16 to 66.77; P= 0.015). (1992) have shown that stress within the family is associated with behavior problems. Of the seizure variables, age of onset and seizure type and focus have been inconsistent predictors, whereas seizure frequency and severity have been better predictors of emotional trouble (Dunn and Austin, 1999). Seizure 8(5):297-303. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 38(9):1132-1138. Rutter et al. In general, these factors fall into two broad categories: internal and external. However, knowledge is limited as to why or how such a disruption may cause mental health or behavioral changes.Seizure type appears to play an important role in the extent and type of behavioral change that results. Active epilepsy type, cognitive impairment, and focal seizures predicted behavioral problems. While ADHD is a clinical diagnosis made on the basis of observation and medical history, mental health experts and scientists agree that there are identifiable characteristics of the disorder. Divalproex sodium (Depakote) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) are helpful in some patients with bipolar disorder, and emerging data suggest that other AEDs such as gabapentin and lamotrigine may be beneficial. We have used a small group approach to education (Austin et al., 2002), providing information and emotional support and assessing participants before and after the intervention. Epilepsia 33(4):675-680. collected, please refer to our Explore fellowships, residencies, internships and other educational opportunities.Learn about career opportunities, search for positions and apply for a job.Get the latest news, explore events and connect with Mass General.Learn about the many ways you can get involved and support Mass General.Copyright © 2007-2020.
People with epilepsy are as much as five times more likely to have mental health and behavioral problems, with an incidence of between 30 to 50 percent, as compared to 8.5 percent in the general population.One of the things children with epilepsy will talk about is that they have a boo-boo, but no one can see their boo-boo.
Dahl J, Melin L, Brorson LO, Schollin J (1985), Effects of a broad-spectrum behavior modification treatment program on children with refractory epileptic seizures. J Neurosci Nurs 30(3):169-174. Caplan R, Arbellle S, Guthrie D et al. Drug interactions with phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine may lower tricyclic antidepressant levels. The child's attitude toward the illness has been associated with behavior, with a negative attitude related to poor self-concept and depression (Austin and Huberty, 1993). However, there are behavioral and educational interventions that have been developed specifically for individuals with autism.Because of the profound consequences of epilepsy-related mental health issues, specialists emphasize that early identification and intervention are critical to improving quality of life and overall outcome. to analyze our web traffic. Six months after the first seizure, between one-third and one-half of the mothers said they worried about each of the following: brain tumors, death from seizures, cognitive decline and addiction to antiepileptic drugs. Dev Med Child Neurol 33(3):201-215. J Nerv Ment Dis 167(10):626-631. Childhood epilepsy is a particular concern to psychiatrists because of the frequency of associated behavioral problems. It is estimated that nearly 8 percent of children with epilepsy have problems with attention. J Child Neurol 17(1):37-40. However, some complex partial seizures may have even more profound consequences. Ketter TA, Post RM, Theodore WH (1999), Positive and negative psychiatric effects of antiepileptic drugs in patients with seizure disorders.