People with common co-occurring conditions with epilepsy should get coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team of different healthcare professionals.
Their routine care should also include reviews of different aspects of their mental health and development, and emotional wellbeing.
A multidisciplinary approach
There’s a greater chance of people with epilepsy also having mental health difficulties, learning disabilities and developmental disorders such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
People with epilepsy who have a mental health condition or learning disability should get coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team.
A multidisciplinary team is made up of different healthcare professionals, including, for example, GPs, paediatric (children's) epilepsy specialists and psychologists.
Children and young people with a complex childhood epilepsy syndrome can have developmental difficulties and cognitive impairment (memory and thinking are affected).
For these reasons, they may also need additional support from a multidisciplinary team.
The various healthcare specialists involved in the care of a person with epilepsy and a mental health problem should work together closely to agree a care plan.
Those providing coordinated care to people with epilepsy, a mental health problem or challenging behaviour should always follow the most up-to-date guidelines on best practice. This could include referral to other specialists.
Routine reviews
A diagnosis of epilepsy can greatly affect someone’s mental health. People with epilepsy can often feel left out and stigmatised (treated or viewed unfairly because of their epilepsy).
The routine care of people with epilepsy should, therefore, include reviews of:
- Neurodevelopment – how the brain develops in terms of intellect, reading ability, social skills, memory, attention and focus
- Cognitive function – the mental processes involved in learning and reasoning
- Mental health
- Social and emotional wellbeing
- Learning disabilities
Children, young people and adults with epilepsy and depression should be offered treatment and support that follows the most up-to-date guidelines on best practice. This could include referral to other specialists.
Those responsible for the care of people diagnosed with epilepsy should look out for signs of anxiety and other mental health difficulties.
They should also be aware of the risk of suicide in people diagnosed with epilepsy.
See also Epilepsy and emotional disorders.
