Epilepsy and concomitant obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract

People with epilepsy (PWE) often suffer psychiatric symptoms which can impact them more than seizures. Affective and psychotic disorders are well recognized as occurring more frequently in PWE than the general population. Less is known about obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in PWE, despite it being as disabling and distressing. We sought to explore the association between epilepsy and OCD with casereports by identifying ten PWE and concomitant OCD. Demographics, seizure classification, neurological, surgical, psychiatric and psychological treatment as well as quality of life were examined. A detailed analysis was performed for three of them, to explore the lived-experience of patients with the two conditions. This is followed by a discussion of how treatment for co-morbid epilepsy and OCD can be appropriately tailored to be patient specific and provide the greatest potential for improvement. Keywords: Epilepsy, Obsessive–compulsive disorder, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, SSRI, Quality of life