“Suicidal passport” for epilepsy

Abstract

Background. Over the past decades many Russian and foreign authors have devoted their studies to psychiatric comorbidity and suicidal behaviour in people with epilepsy. It is particularly important to find risk factors to develop suicidal ideation in this group of patients. According to the World Health Organisation, suicide is the second cause of death among patients with epilepsy, especially those under 29 years. Social maladaptation and deviant reactions to isolation within the framework of personality disorder and frustrating elements necessitate strategy development to prevent suicide intentions in this group of patients. Objective: to find risk factors contributing to suicidal behaviour in patients with epilepsy. Material and methods. We examined 102 patients diagnosed with epilepsy and divided them into two groups consistent with the available relevant suicide ideators: Group 1 (reference group) – without suicide ideators (n=73), Group 2 (study group) – with suicide ideators at the time of the study (n=29). We conducted a pathopsychological study using scales and questionnaires. Results. Patients with epilepsy and suicidal ideation are more vulnerable to a wide range of mental health disorders. Behavioural and mood disorders predominate. Risk factors for suicide in this patient cohort relate to a darker outlook on the future and emotional instability. All limits of the antisuicidal behaviour pattern reduced uniformly, except for the Family responsibility. Amidst the severe course of the underlying medical conditions, disharmony is formed in attitude towards the disease. Conclusion. Assessment of the risk factors for the development of suicidal ideation in patients with epilepsy is a challenging multidisciplinary task. Even with relative mental well-being, it is worth focusing on all aspects of quality of life.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• suicidal behaviour
• risk factors
• depression
• non-psychotic disorders