Common Ground: We Can Comprehensively Treat Pediatric Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidities

Epilepsy and psychiatric illness have been long studied and today are better accepted as co-occurring than as discrete illnesses that are independent even if associated. Common pathophysiology may not be easily explained, but clearly exists given the significant overrepresentation of psychiatric ill...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epilepsy currents 2024-12, Vol.24 (6), p.381-386
Main Authors: Salpekar, Jay A., Ertenu, D. Dilara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Autism
Comorbidity
Current Review in Clinical Research
Division of labor
Epilepsy
Mental disorders
Neurological diseases
Pediatrics
Quality of life
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Summary:Epilepsy and psychiatric illness have been long studied and today are better accepted as co-occurring than as discrete illnesses that are independent even if associated. Common pathophysiology may not be easily explained, but clearly exists given the significant overrepresentation of psychiatric illness among individuals with epilepsy. Conditions like autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are prevalent in pediatric epilepsy much more than expected, even in the context of chronic neurologic disease. The interplay between pediatric epilepsy and neuropsychiatric symptoms represents a complex clinical circumstance that is not well subtended by the chasm-like division of labor between psychiatrists and neurologists. The unfortunate result is that children and families often experience care that is fractured and at worst, counterproductive for their quality of life. A neuropsychiatric paradigm is essential to address epilepsy and its intrinsic psychiatric symptoms. Practical strategies will be discussed to address this challenge.
ISSN:1535-7597
1535-7511
DOI:10.1177/15357597241250159