Antiepileptic polypharmacy, psychosocial behaviour and locus of control orientation among mentally handicapped adults living in the community.
The relationship between psychosocial behaviour, antiepileptic regime (polytherapy compared to monotherapy) and seizure frequency was explored in a sample of mentally handicapped adults living in the community. Locus of control perceptions were studied in relation to seizure frequency. Antiepileptic polypharmacy was found to have a detrimental effect upon psychosocial functioning independent of seizure frequency, which is itself a risk factor for social disturbance; and external perceptions of locus of control predominated. The distribution of drugs used is reported. These results are discussed in the context of implications for future research in the areas of coping, mental handicap and antiepileptic pharmacotherapy.
Ravenspark Hospital, Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.
C A
CA
Espie
J B
JB
Gillies
J M
JM
Montgomery
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010556:Personality Tests; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment
D000927:Anticonvulsants