Specialty Focused Recordings: Seizures and Epilepsy-Mental Health And Epilepsy

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar examines mental health challenges associated with epilepsy, emphasizing that depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts occur more often in people with epilepsy than in the general population and are frequently underdiagnosed or untreated. Risk factors include epilepsy-related stigma, isolation, family and socioeconomic circumstances, seizure worry, and medication effects. Depression and epilepsy can reinforce one another, making mental health care important for seizure management as well as wellbeing.<br /><br />The presenter reviews screening approaches, including epilepsy-specific depression questionnaires, the GAD-7 for anxiety, and the ASQ for suicide risk. Screening should be conducted privately and routinely, with clear procedures for responding to positive results. Clinicians should listen carefully, validate disclosures, avoid promising confidentiality, and connect patients with appropriate support.<br /><br />Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy and, when appropriate, SSRIs such as fluoxetine or sertraline, while considering seizure risks and medication interactions. The webinar also discusses behavioral changes linked to antiseizure medications, post-seizure symptoms, and the importance of supporting caregivers and the wider family.

Keywords

epilepsy

mental health

depression

anxiety

suicidal thoughts

screening

cognitive behavioral therapy

SSRIs

caregiver support