Differential Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Seizures: Unmasking Existing Behavior

David W. Dunn, MD
Indiana University School of Medicine

Abstract:

Children and adolescents with epilepsy have an increased risk of several psychiatric problems. Risk factors include additional neurological dysfunction, seizure severity, and, possibly, early age of onset of seizures. Approximately one fourth to one third of the children with epilepsy have impaired attention and symptoms of depression. Aggression and anxiety are less common, but can be problematic. Psychosis is rare in children with epilepsy but occurs more often in adolescents with a longer seizure history. Therapy should include education, counseling, and psychopharmacology attending to drug interactions, and the effect of psychotropic medication on seizure threshold.