Unrecognized Depression
According to an article in Epilepsy USA Online (published by the Epilepsy Foundation) depression in people with seizures is more common than previously thought, and is still under-recognized and under-treated.
A series of recent studies in the United States and the United Kingdom show higher-than-average percentages of adults and children with epilepsy experience depression. Almost 1/3 of the adults in 1 group had experienced depression, approximately twice the rate found in the general population. Rates were also higher in children.
Although there are antidepressants that can be taken by people taking antiepiletic drugs, depression often goes untreated.
Many cases remain unreported because people may not feel comfortable seeking help from psychiatrists or psychologists, or physicians who treat epilepsy may not be looking for mood disorders. Lack of insurance coverage and lack of specialists experienced in both mood disorders and seizure disorders may also contribute to the situation.
Risk factors for depression in people with epilepsy may include a history of depression in other family members, a recent increase in the number stressful events, and, in some people, physical changes in the brain.
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