M.G. Barisone, S. Lerda, S. Ansaldi, E. De Vincenzo, G. Angelini - Vol. 10, September 2004, Issue 3
Testo Immagini Bibliografia Summary Indice
Psicopatologia ed epilessia: esperienza
clinica presso un Centro per la Diagnosi e la Cura dell’epilessia
Psychopathology and epilepsy: clinical experience in a Centre for the
Diagnosis and Care of epilepsy
Objectives
Organic and psychosocial factors are
believed to play a role in the onset of epilepsy, as well as many other neurological
illnesses. The individual response to the disease has not been adequately
explained. We aimed at assessing the role of psychopathological features,
illness behaviour and quality of life in a sample of epileptic subjects, comparing
them with patients affected by multiple sclerosis and healthy subjects.
Methods
The total sample was distributed as follows: 95 epileptics, 95 with multiple
sclerosis, and 95 healthy subjects. Epileptics were assessed through a semi-structured
interview (SCID), and a set of questionnaires (STAI, SDS, IBQ, SF-36).
Inclusion criteria were: 20-70 years of age, diagnosis of epilepsy at least
since one year, no history of mental impairment, absence of dementia, other
chronic illness, and severe psychiatric disorders.
Results
More than half of the epileptics showed supra-threshold state and trait
anxiety (48.13 ± 7.78; 50.29 ± 7.15). Depressive symptoms were displayed in
45% of them (46.77 ± 7.32). Concerning illness behaviour, 34% of sample had
high psychosomatic features, 26% dysphoria, 36% anger and other interpersonal
difficulties.
Subjects with multiple sclerosis scored higher on the STAI, SDS, and SF-36
with respect to subjects with epilepsy.
Conclusions
Anxiety and depression were more represented among patients with epilepsy
than in healthy subjects. However, quality of life was better in epileptics
than in patients with multiple sclerosis. In particular, items related to
the physical side of quality of life were rated higher than those of the psychological
one.
The present study emphasises the importance of a psychological support for
epileptics and supports a role for Liaison-Consultation Psychiatry.