Cognitive distortions in epilepsy patients: Metacognitive functions, automatic thoughts and dysfunctionalattitudes

Abstract

Objective: The association of psychiatric disorders with epilepsy was shown in many studies, but there are very few studies dealing with the cognitive distortions in epilepsy patients. In our study, we aimed to investigate the metacognitive systems, dysfunctional attitudes and automatic thoughts of epilepsy patients. Method: Sixty patients diagnosed with epilepsy based on anamnesis and electroencephalography examination, and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. The socio-demographic data form, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS) and Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ) were applied to all participants. Results: BAI and BDI scores were significantly higher in epilepsy group compared to control group (p=0.001, p<0.05; respectively). The 'uncontrollability-danger' and 'cognitive awareness' subscale scores and the total score of MCQ in epilepsy group were also higher than in control group (p=0.001, p<0.05, p=0.001, respectively). The ATQ total score was found to be significantly higher in epilepsy group compared to control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings from the present study, in order to better understand epilepsy patients help them better and provide diagnosis/treatment of psychiatric diseases that may be overlooked, it is recommended that neurology and psychiatry physicians evaluate patients in cooperation.