Teens, Epilepsy & Depression

As we have previously written, the area of medical illness and associated mental health disorders is an emerging and important issue. Not unlike substance abuse and mental illness and their respective practices, the medical and the mental health communities are increasingly cognizant that co-occurring disorders in their areas may be more the norm than the exception. In particular, recent clinical findings suggest that adolescents with epilepsy may suffer higher rates of depression. This is just one of many medical/mental health concerns that is gaining professional and public attention.

Recent clinical study results in the Journal of Neurology (March 2006) indicate that up to 60 percent of all teens with epilepsy will experience depression or another psychiatric illness. What's worse, only about 33 percent of those teens will receive treatment, according to the study. That lack of treatment may put teens with epilepsy at a higher risk for suicide as well. The study reported that up to 30 percent of people with epilepsy had attempted suicide, compared to about 7 percent of people without the disorder. According to the Neurology report, it has been known for some time that teens with chronic illnesses are more likely to suffer from depression. However, the association between teens with epilepsy and depression appears to be even stronger.

The bottom line is that parents and medical professionals increased awareness of depression and an increased risk of suicide are common among teens with epilepsy is paramount. For more on this topic, go to Teens, Epilepsy & Depression

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