Quality of life for patients with epilepsy is determined by more than seizure control: the role of psychosocial factors

Abstract

Antiepileptic drugs remain the cornerstone of epilepsy treatment for minimizing, if not eliminating, seizures. However, many factors other than the degree of seizure control influence the quality of life for patients with epilepsy. This review focuses on psychosocial factors that have been associated with quality of life in this population, especially mood disorders, stigma seizure worry, self-esteem and self-mastery. Irrespective of their level of seizure control from antiepileptic drugs, patients may also benefit from targeted psychosocial interventions that reduce the negative impact of these factors on their quality of life.

Keywords::

• anxiety
• depression
• epilepsy
• quality of life
• self-esteem
• self-mastery
• stigma