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Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Pediatric Epilepsy Patients |
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| Authors: | Alan B Ettinger Deborah M Weisbrot† Edith E Nolan‡ Kenneth D Gadow‡ Susan A Vitale Mary R Andriola§ Nicholas J Lenn§ Gerald P Novak¶ Bruce P Hermann# |
| Institution: | Departments of Neurology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook;Departments of Psychiatry Private Practice, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook;Departments of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook;Departments of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook;Epilepsy Management Program, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook;Departments of Neurology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York;Departments of Pediatrics, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York;and the **Division of Neuropsychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. |
| Abstract: | Summary: Purpose: We assessed rates of symptoms of anxiety and depression among pediatric patients with epilepsy. Methods: We administered the Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and Child Depression Inventory (CDI) to 44 epilepsy patients aged 7–18 years (mean age 12.4 years). Demographic, socioeconomic, and epilepsy-related information was examined in relation to depression and anxiety scores. Results: No patients had been previously identified to have depression or anxiety. However, 26% had significantly increased depression scores and 16% met critieria for significant anxiety symptomatology. Conclusions: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common among pediatric patients with epilepsy and appear to be overlooked by care providers. |
| Keywords: | Anxiety Depression Epilepsy Seizures Pediatric |