Suaad Moussa

Citation:

Omar, M., M. S., S. Gad, G. Ryad, K. Tammam, and S. Moussa, "Psychiatric comorbidity in epileptic children", Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, vol. 20 (Suppl 1), issue Suppl 1, pp. S20, 2011.

Abstract:

Epilepsy in childhood is a pervasive disorder that includes not only seizures but also significant effects on cognition, behavior and quality of life. Although behavior and emotional problems are common, the recognition of these problems is difficult. Method: This study assessed the psychiatric problems of epileptic children ,using the childhood behavioral checklist (CBCL) , covering the internalizing and externalizing behavior disturbances.100 epileptic children and 100 healthy children are included in two groups of age ranged from 6-13 years (mean age 8.69),60 boys ,and 40 girls ,in each group. Results: 70%of the epileptic group indicates severe affection of behavioral disturbance on the total CBCL results (within the clinical range of psychiatric disorders), compared to only 14%in the control group. Attention problem, anxiety/depression and social problems showed the highest significant difference, while withdrawal /depression, aggressive behavior, rule breaking behavior and somatic complaints showed lower significant difference. Behavioral disturbance is more significant in boys than girls, and more in younger children than elder. EEG changes that showed significant relation were the withdrawal /depression symptoms. Conclusion: Children with epilepsy showed more psychopathology than children from the general population .So medical care of epilepsy should go beyond seizure control; consultation liaison psychiatry has the characteristic body knowledge needed for an integrated "Biopsychosocial" approach.