Psychiatric disorders associated to the epilepsy

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is a global health problem and is considered as old as humanity itself and one of the most common Central Nervous System´s disorders. Patients with this disease have a psychiatric comorbidity and in turn, social, economic and psychobiological consequences, so it is necessary that health professionals, know these alterations for a comprehensive management of these patients, which is the main purpose of the review.
Objective: to identify early risk factors that relate to neurobehavioral symptoms in patients with epilepsy, in order to minimize their effects and improve the life´s quality for them.
Material and Methods: Was performed a review of national and international literature by selecting the articles from the past decade related to psychiatric disorders associated with epilepsy. Factors related to epilepsy and behavioral disorders are specified.
Results: The frequency of psychiatric disorders in patients with epilepsy are described and among these, psychotic and bipolar affective disorders, depression, mania, suicidal behavior, anxiety and personality disorders, hyperactivity and attention deficit, the psychotropic effects of antiepileptic drugs and psychiatric disorders in epilepsy surgery.

Conclusions: Psychiatric comorbidity in patients with epilepsy are frequent and of multifactorial cause, which is of significant importance to the physician, to recognize the elements that relate to neurobehavioral symptoms in these patients, in order to take the necessary measures to minimize their effects and improve the life´s quality.

Keywords: Psychiatric disorders, Epilepsy, behavioral disorders, psychosis, depression, mania.