Does epilepsy predispose patients to particular psychiatric illnesses or behavioral problems?
The relationship between behavioral conditions and epilepsy has long been controversial. Until the early 20th century, seizures were often considered a form of psychopathology and people with epilepsy were routinely confined to asylums. Perhaps in response, some more recent advocates for the epilepsy community have argued that there is no increased risk of psychiatric or behavioral symptoms among epilepsy patients. Data from a wealth of clinical and research studies now support a balanced position, concluding that people with epilepsy are at higher risk for certain types of psychiatric disorders and behavioral symptoms, although most do not develop severe psychiatric illness or maladaptive behavior. For example, depressive disorders are more likely to occur among people with epilepsy than in the general population. A recent survey carried out in 185,000 households revealed that 29% of people with epilepsy had experienced one episode of major depression, compared to 8% of people reporte
