Epileptic psychiatric patients, a special population

Abstract

In order to characterize the diagnostic and treatment problems posed by psychiatric patients who are also suffering from epilepsy, a retrospective chart review was performed. The medical records of 43 consecutive psychiatric inpatients with diagnosis of epilepsy and 43 sex and age matched psychiatric inpatients without epilepsy were reviewed. The diagnosis of epilepsy strongly influenced both the diagnosis and management of these patients. Epileptic patients were more likely to be diagnosed as suffering from an organic mental disorder (p.<01) and to receive anticonvulsant medications (88%). A number of significant problems were apparent. Clinical information necessary to make the above diagnostic and therapeutic decisions was often lacking. Frequently, the history of epilepsy or even evidence that one existed was not documented. We conclude that disseminating knowledge about the psychiatric aspects of epilepsy, as well as a closer working relationship between the different clinicians treating the patient, may lead to improving the care these patients receive.