Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic disease with a high morbidity. Many recent studies have shown that psychiatric disorders are commonly encountered in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Depression, anxiety disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are among the most common psychiatric disorders. Many factors, including demographic variables, epilepsy related factors and psychosocial factors, have been suggested to have a role on the development of psychiatric disorders in epilepsy. In the management of psychiatric comorbidities, cooperation between disciplines, education of the patient and family and psychosocial support are of vital importance. Recent studies have shown that some psychotropic agents can be used with a generally high safety and efficacy in children and adolescents with epilepsy.