What is the connection between epilepsy and depression?

A number of scientific studies that have been performed most in the last few decades suggest that there is a strong link between epilepsy and depression. Most of the evidence for this connection concerns the empirical correlation between the two conditions. People with depression are much more likely to develop epilepsy and people with epilepsy are much more likely to become depressed.

Proof of correlation between these conditions is quite convincing. A 2004 study published in neurology has found that the depression rate in epileptics seems to be about three times higher than in people with other chronic diseases. It has also found that depression is often not treated into epileptics, partly because it is different than in typical cases. For example, depressive epileptics often experience irritability and anxiety. The suicide rate for people with epilepsy is - based on some estimates - at a time higher than the level for normal population.

existence of a biological connection betweenEpilepsy and depression is theorized, but is not well understood. Some scientists generally proposed that shortcomings in neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and GABA may be responsible for both of these diseases. The genetic connection was also assumed. However, there are few experimental evidence of support or describing more precisely the connection of this kind.

awareness of the connection between epilepsy and depression was slowly growing. Current observers say that depression in epileptics has long been ignored. They propose that this supervision was caused by the belief that the symptoms of depression were a reasonable, predictable and non -patient reaction to the suffering associated with epilepsy. Experiments against this faith include a 2003 study published in the Epilepsy of Proudus that the connection between epilepsy and depression will not intensify with increasingly serious or frequent seizures.

existence of depression in people with epilepsII has consequences for treatment and quality of life. Several studies have indicated that in the case of insoluble epilepsy that cannot be completely controlled, the reduction in depression should be a more important goal than a reduction in seizure frequency. This means that if any number of seizures are inevitable, the quality of life improves more when carers focus on the treatment of depression. The use of antidepressants for people with epilepsy is not well studied. Some scientists believe that antidepressants, and especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), increase the likelihood of seizures, but this statement is controversial.