Mood Disorders Occurring With Seizure Disorders

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Today, coming from the EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, is some information about the connection between depression and seizure disorders (medical term that means the same thing as epilepsy). Did you know that about one out of three people with seizure disorders also develop some type of depression? That percentage rises even further when a person has a seizure disorder that is not well-controlled.

Why do health care professionals see both seizure disorders and depressive disorders together in the same person at such high rates? First of all, seizure disorders can be long-term, or chronic disorders, affecting the lives of those who have them. The additional stress of handling a chronic condition can lay some of the groundwork for development of depression. In addition, there are brain changes that occur separately with depression and seizure disorders.



For instance, neurotransmitters, like serotonin, can be affected by both depression and seizure disorders. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands, which regulate hormones, are located in areas of the brain that affect stress level, mood, and behavior. Genetic factors can affect the development of both depression and seizure disorders.

Now, let's look at the medications used to treat seizures. The first-generation antidepressants, also known as tricyclics, affect the seizure threshold, essentially making it more likely for a person to have a seizure. So, psychiatric clinicians are reluctant to prescribe these medications for someone who has a diagnosis of seizure disorder.

Some recent studies have shown that second-generation antidepressants, the medications known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may actually raise the seizure threshold, making it less likely for a person to have a seizure. However, researchers have urged caution in applying those results, as some newer medications, such as wellbutrin, lower the seizure threshold and may even cause seizures in persons who have never had them before. Also, this type of research has not focused on the mechanisms that cause seizures, limiting the applicability of the findings.

Increased community support and outreach can help reduce stress from living with seizure disorders.

What's the take-away for those with seizures? If you notice symptoms of depression and anxiety, discuss these with your provider who treats your seizures. You may need to meet with a psychiatric provider, preferably someone with experience in neuropsychiatry, since they also have more experience with neurological conditions. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to take medications prescribed for your mood; just find out all you can about their benefits and side effects. You may also want to find out the risks of not treating your mood disorder. And, consider all the different types of treatment, such as psychotherapy; support groups; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); stress management techniques, like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness; and exercise. Share with members of your social network.

Like Florence Nightingale, nurses have been there, supporting and advocating for those with seizure disorders.

Thanks for information from this article by Sloka Iyengar on the Epilepsy Foundation site: http://www.epilepsy.com/article/2016/6/antidepressants-epilepsy, along with the above link.

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