Behavioral Issues in Pediatric Epilepsy

Dunn, David W. MD
Austin, Joan K. DNS, RN

From the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, and the Department of Environments for Health, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN.

Address correspondence to David W. Dunn, MD, Division of Child Psychiatry, Riley Hospital 3701, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis IN 46202.

Neurology 53(5):p S96-S100, September 22, 1999.

Article abstract

Children with epilepsy have more behavioral and cognitive problems than children with other chronic illnesses and children in the general population. Risk factors are multiple, probably involving a combination of neurological, seizure, family, and child variables. Problems with attention and symptoms of depression occur frequently but may be unrecognized. Anxiety disorders and psychoses are less common. There are very few studies defining most effective therapies for behavioral problems in children with epilepsy. Education, group psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology have been used with success.