Mental disorders in patients with epilepsy

Abstract

Mental disorders occur in patients with epilepsy significantly more frequently than in the general population or in those with other chronic diseases. The specificity of epilepsy as a condition of the central nervous system with complex somatic, psychic and social consequences contributes to co-occurrence of these disorders. Moreover, common patomechanisms are suggested for epilepsy and mental disorders, associated with disturbances of bioelectrical activity and neurotransmission in certain areas of the brain.The authors present a review of main groups of mental disorders observed in epileptic patients: psychotic, affective, anxiety, personality, and conduct disorders. They discuss their epidemiology and clinical presentation, with a particular focus on their risk factors and temporal relation to epileptic seizures. They also highlight problems associated with differential diagnosis and optimal therapeutic strategy. Mental disorders have a significant impact on the quality of life and functioning of patients with epilepsy. Further exploration of interrelationships between these illnesses, as well as cooperation between neurologists and psychiatrists promote an early and precise diagnosis of mental disturbances in this group of patients and their effective treatment.