Psychosocial problems of adult patients with epilepsy —an analysis of their problems—

Abstract

Two hundred adult patients with epilepsy were studied using a questionnaire with respect to their prolems. The problems were classified into the following 8 types. (1) Problems directly related to seizures, which were further classified into 3 subtypes: (i) unpredictability of the seizure occurrence, (ii) social disadvantage caused by seizures and (iii) physical concerns, (2) social stigma, (3) marriage, (4) employment, (5) side effects of medication, (6) burdens caused by medication continuation, (7) personality and social relationship, (g) daily living and family relationship (arranged in order of frequency). The relation of these problems to the medicosocial conditions and other related responses was analyzed to discuss psychosocial background of patients with epilepsy. © 1989, Japanese Society of National Medical Services. All rights reserved.